Message on Gamble McAllister Sisson
Samuel E. Jones, senior vice president for finance and administration, sent the following message to the campus community June 20, 2019. - Ed.
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great sadness that I notify the campus of the June 12, 2019, passing of Gamble McAllister ("Mac") Sisson.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Mac received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Virginia and a Master's Degree in Physical Oceanography from Old Dominion University. Mac’s early career included positions at Deep Sea Ventures as an Oceanographer and at Newport News Ship Building as an Engineering Analyst. Mac spent more than 30 years as a researcher at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, most recently as a Senior Marine Scientist in the Department of Physical Sciences. At VIMS, Mac authored dozens of publications and was also honored with the 2017 Award for Outstanding Employee for Technical Support. During his time at VIMS, Mac provided invaluable advisory service to the Commonwealth as the Principal Investigator on numerous grants and contracts from such agencies as the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Norfolk Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A proud Virginian, Mac served as a board member of the Guinea Heritage Association and was an avid UVA sports fan.
Mac is survived by his wife, Sharon Zuber (the recently retired Director of the W&M Writing Center), his sister Frances Higgins of Melbourne, Florida, and numerous nieces, nephews, step children, and beloved grandchildren. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in remembrance of Mac at 2 pm on Sunday June 23rd in the lobby/auditorium of Watermen’s Hall at VIMS, which is located at 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA.
Sam