Many Habersham families have close ties, historically and currently, to Rabun Gap School. The following is a letter fro Dr. Sgro imparting the sad loss of an institution at Rabun Gap, Dess Oliver.
From Dr. Sgro: I am sad to inform the school community that long-time Rabun Gap faculty member Dess Oliver passed away shortly after 1:00 pm today. Dess recently had been admitted to the hospital where he was receiving treatment for complications related to an infection. Beloved by generations of faculty, students, and alumni, Dess taught at Rabun Gap for 43 years and retired in June 2014. Dess was honored for his service that year by a gathering among his faculty peers and later recognized by alumni at the Alumni Reunion Weekend. He loved Rabun Gap and his legacy continues in the work of the STEAM and Industrial Arts program and the Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum. Please keep his wife, Jackie, and their family in your prayers.
A Celebration of Life Service honoring Dess Oliver will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 1:30 pm at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The service will be in the school’s Rearden Theater and a reception will follow. The family will welcome friends at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and directed to either the Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum Fund or the Dess Oliver Fund for Industrial Arts Fund.
During this difficult time, members of the Counseling Team are available to provide support to students and faculty as needed.
May light perpetual shine upon the faithful departed.
