Obituary of Dr. Herbert Paul Rhodes

Dr. Herbert Paul Rhodes, Jr. of Bedford, Virginia passed away at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital on Saturday, August 31, 2024.  Paul was born on August 12, 1940 in Winchester, Virginia, the eldest son of Harriet Bruce Rhodes and Herbert Paul Rhodes.

He graduated from Handley High School in Winchester, Virginia in 1958 and was President of his class. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1962 and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1966. After completing a one-year internship at Riverside Regional Medical Hospital in Newport News, Virginia, Captain H. Paul Rhodes, Jr. served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as the Battalion Surgeon for the 2-12-25th Infantry Division operating in Dau Tieng. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, the Bronze Star, and Vietnam Service Medals.

Upon returning to the United States, Paul completed his Army duty at a military hospital in Petersburg, Virginia and then began his Radiology residency at MCV in Richmond. After his residency, he joined a Radiology practice in Hickory, North Carolina. Paul moved to Bedford in 1977 and began his Radiology practice at what is now Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital. He served patients in the Bedford community for over 30 years until his retirement in 2009.

Over the years, Paul was actively involved in community service in Bedford. Most recently, he served on the boards for The Avenel Foundation and the Bedford branch of the Bank of the James. He also served as the Past President of the Bedford County Medical Society and was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Debbie Mitchell Rhodes; his children from his first marriage, Laura Rhodes Fortsch (Greg), Paul Bruce Rhodes (Betsy), and John Cary Rhodes (Alicia); stepdaughters, Tara Lineberry Troutman (Jeremia) and Brooke Lineberry Weatherington (Grant); and nine beloved grandchildren, Lily, Eleanor and Amelia Fortsch, Isabel and Eliza Rhodes, Madden and Payson Rhodes, Ellis Troutman, and Addie Weatherington. Paul is also survived by his sister, Mary Bruce Rhodes Woody (Stephen) and brothers, Robert Madison Rhodes (Lanette), James William Rhodes (Mary), and John Kenyon Rhodes (Carol), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 14 at 11:00 am at Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford, Virginia with Rev. Dr. Dawn Compton officiating followed by a luncheon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Avenel Foundation, PO Box 686, Bedford, VA 24523 or Main Street United Methodist Church Outreach Programs, PO Box 505, Bedford, VA 24523.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.