Col. George Piegari, 79, of Lexington, Virginia died October 4, 2020 in Roanoke.

He was born October 1, 1941.

He was a professor at Virginia Military Institute for 35 years and was co-founder of the computer science program. He was very active in all aspects of the institute, including serving as the department chair of mathematics and computer science; VMI's faculty athletic representative to the NCAA, the Southern Conference, and the Big South Conference; and he was a major supporter of the VMI theater. He retired in 2007, and the Col. George Piegari Computer Science Lab was dedicated in recognition of his contributions.

His teaching awards and achievements included the Distinguished Teaching Award, an honor he was given in both 1990 and 1996. In 2000, he received the VMI Corps of Cadets Faculty Mentor Award.

He is among the small number of non-graduates to be designated an honorary alumnus by the VMI Alumni Association board of directors. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Montclair State College, he received a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

He was a longstanding and active member of the Lexington Rotary Club, belonged to many math and IT associations, and served on several committees at Kendal of Lexington.

George also taught mathematics for the COW program (College Orientation Workshop) for 10 years, did the programming for the Lexington Christmas Basket Program for 15 years, and was presently serving on the VMI alumni board.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Melou; his son, Glen; his daughter, LeeAnn Keever and her husband, Chris; two brothers, Pat and Joe; and three grandchildren, McCarthy, Grayson and Garrett Keever.

A memorial service will be held at JM Hall at VMI October 24 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the VMI Foundation, P. O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450.