The Observer Newspapers | Town Loses Two Prominent Businessmen

Feb. 6, 2009

Town Loses Two Prominent Businessmen

Robert W. Ashwell

Owned Car Dealership in Herndon

Robert "Bob" Ashwell, 82, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital of lymphoma. He was born Nov. 9, 1926, in Huddleston, Va., to the late Earl Davis and Emily Ashwell.

Mr. Ashwell was the husband of the late Evelyn Ashwell. He is survived by his son Ronnie, daughter-in-law Donna, and grandchildren, Kristina, Sammi and Bobby. He is also survived by one brother, James Ashwell of Herndon.

Mr. Ashwell moved to the Herndon area in 1946, but did not move into the town limits until 1961. He attended Herndon High School, but left to join the Navy. After serving in the Navy he worked for Alexandria Dairy driving milk trucks, and then became a used car manager for a Chevrolet dealership. In 1956, he bought the Oldsmobile dealership from Horn Motors in Herndon and opened it as Ashwell Oldsmobile. The dealership sold Oldsmobiles and Ramblers for many years, before adopting Subaru in 1971. Mr. Ashwell sold the dealership to the Paul brothers in 1992. The dealership is now owned by Stohlman Subaru.

Once the president of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ashwell was an active member of the Herndon community until his death. He was a common figure seen at Town Council meetings and around town.

Mr. Ashwell's son, Ron Ashwell, said Wednesday his father loved the town and worked to see it grow over the years. "He always wanted to see the town developed," he said. He said Mr. Ashwell envisioned a large town center development in downtown Herndon, and over the years he worked to encourage that development. His property, on which the Stohlman Subaru dealership is located, has always been central in any plans to redevelop the town.

Ron Ashwell said he father was an avid fisherman, preferring to mine the shores for small-mouth bass in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Mr. Ashwell loved the Nags Head area so much that Ron Ashwell said he can't remember spending a summer anywhere but Nags Head since 1959.

Ron Ashwell said Herndon Town Councilman Dave Kirby summed up his father when he described Mr. Ashwell as an "icon." Ron Ashwell said the family had received many nice words and remembrances from residents of the town.

"He was a unique individual," Ron Ashwell said. Mr. Ashwell was diagnosed with lymphoma on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and died three days later. Prior to his diagnosis, Mr. Ashwell was as active as could be, still running his boat down in Nags Head, N.C., on a regular basis.

Memorials may be sent in Mr. Ashwell's name to the American Cancer Society.

Frederic P. Hubert

Rotarian, Chamber Executive Director

Frederic P. Hubert, a long-time Herndon resident who was active in many community organizations, died on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.

Mr. Hubert had been named Herndon Citizen of the Year and had served as executive director of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce. He was a past member of the Herndon Rotary Club, for which he also served as president, and the Rotary Club of Reston. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Mr. Hubert retired from the U.S. Department of Agricultural Quarantine Service in May 1975 after 35 years of service. He spent more than half his career on overseas assignments in the West Indies, Europe, Indonesia and the Middle East as well as in north and east Africa as a plant protection advisor.

Mr. Hubert was born Oct. 12, 1912, in Everett, Mass. He was the husband of Thelma M. Hubert and was father to one son, Philip P. Hubert of Tampa, Fla.; one stepson, Ernest D. Mann of Yorktown, Va.; one stepdaughter, Frances M. Lockwood, of Jackson, Tenn., and was grandfather to eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Herndon where the services were held. Memorials may be made to a charity or church of the giver’s choice.