At just 14 years old, Joe Longacher left the familiar sur- roundings of his Denbigh Colony to attend school at Eastern Mennonite. Excited about the opportunity to study and meet people from all over the country, Joe had no idea that foun- dational and life changing moments would lie ahead in the Valley.
At EMHS, Joe enjoyed a variety of activities: music, sports and academics. He also discovered that he really liked science and enjoyed the process of organizing things so that others could benefit. He also greatly appreciated the close relationships he had with his teachers, who affirmed his gifts and gave him encouragement.
With this foundation in place, Joe received a B.S. in Biology from Eastern Mennonite College and then his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU). When the draft board usurped his plan to study surgery further, Joe was assigned to work in a medical clinic on the WV and KY border. There he covered all aspects of medical care for an underserved population, including obstetrics, general surgery and internal medicine. He credits this time of serving others to help him hone his love of medicine and organization. During this time he felt called to internal medicine and to offering organizational and leadership assistance to causes who could use his skills.
For most of his career, Joe worked in a multispecialty clinic in Richmond and was a clinical professor of internal medicine at VCU. Despite the demands of medical practice and teaching, Joe took active roles in many professional and service organizations, again blending his love of working with people with his ability to manage projects and build cohesion in organizations. Joe also served the church and conference in countless ways, including, but not limited to: congregational leader, Sunday school teacher, moderator of Virginia Mennonite Conference (for two terms), chairing the Conference’s Faith and Life Commission and serving on the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center planning committee and later as their president several times.
When asked how one person could balance so much with a demanding career, Joe responded with his noted dry humor and humility, “I have the congenital inability to say no. I also had loving parents who were always actively involved in their faith and saw it as their responsibility to make their community a better place for others. Their modeling of faith and stewardship coupled with the support of my dear wife and four children have allowed me to do things I never would have dreamed of back in Denbigh.”
