EDWARD HENNEMAN

Edward Olmsted “Ned” Henneman passed away peacefully on the night of March 16, 2026. 

Edward was born in New York City, NY, on Sept. 5, 1937, the son of John Bell Henneman and Esther Ogden Henneman. 

Ned grew up in New York City and attended WoodberryForest School graduating in 1955. He graduated from YaleUniversity in 1959 and earned his juris doctor from HarvardUniversity in 1962. He met his future wife, Penelope Case, at a wedding in Savannah, Ga., and they were married in her hometown of Gouverneur, NY, on July 28, 1962. Ned practiced law in New York City from 1962 to 1972. All three of his children, Neeltje Van Bergen Henneman, Edward Olmsted Henneman Jr, and Robert Haile Henneman, were born in New York City. Ned left the law firm Winthrop, Stimson, Putman & Roberts in 1972 and moved to Lexington to take on the role as the first director of planned giving at Washington and Lee University. Six years later, he joined the Washington and Lee law school faculty, where he taught until 2005. Ned was an accomplished professor at the law school for almost 30 years, specializing in trusts and estates. Over the years he also taught Property, Real Estate, Family Law and Elder Law. Ned loved teaching, and he particularly valued and enjoyed his relationships with his students. He appreciated their wit and laughed at the list of “Hennemanisms” they generated. In 1981 Ned became associate dean of the law school and he served in that capacity until 1992. 

Ned was involved in many aspects of the Lexington community. He was instrumental to the founding of the local chapter of Meals on Wheels and delivered meals for over 20 years. Deeply committed to his children’s education, he served as vice-chair and later chair of the Lexington City School Board and ran for mayor in 1988 (also in an effort to draw attention to local education). He was a member of the board of the Stonewall Jackson Hospital (now Carilion). He served on the boards of a number of local organizations including Yellow Brick Road, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, and the Virginia Skyline Girl Scout Council. He was a member of the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church and an active member of the Democratic party in both Lexington and Rockbridge County. Ned was a member of the Lexington Retirement Community Board, which led to the founding of Kendal at Lexington, where he and Penny lived very happily for over 15 years. 

Ned was an avid sports fan. While his initial baseball allegiance was to the New York Giants, he became a devoted New York Mets fan who enthusiastically recalled attending game five of the 1969 World Series, a series-clinching victory over the Baltimore Orioles. His children shared this passion, and all reveled in the Mets repeat World Series victory in 1986. Ned loved opera, Sondheim, and reading non-fiction. He was devoted to his wife, Penny, who predeceased him in October 2024, and to his children and grandchildren. He was a game player and brought the fun to all family gatherings. Students, family members, friends, and colleagues all remember Ned for his wit and keen intelligence. Penny and Ned greatly enjoyed the years they spent at Kendal, where they made many new friends and remained actively involved in the community for the remainder of their lives. 

Ned is preceded in death by his parents, John Bell Henneman and Esther Ogden Henneman; his brother, John Bell Henneman, Jr; and his wife, Penelope Case Henneman. 

He is survived by his children, Neeltje, Ted and Bob; by his daughters-in-law, Amy Parr Henneman and Margaret Horlick; and by his five grandchildren, Bonnie Wells Henneman, Edward Olmsted Henneman III, Winifred Gracie Henneman, Nicholas Bruner Henneman and Rebecca Rose Henneman. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice (315 Myers Street, Lexington, VA 24450), the Staff Appreciation Fund, Kendal at Lexington (160 Kendal Drive, Lexington, VA 24450) or Grace Episcopal Church (123 W Washington Street, Lexington VA 24450).

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.