Logan, Sinkler receive Roanoke College Charles Brown Award

Roanoke College recognized today a retired dentist and a former educator for their noteworthy impact and influence in Salem.

Dr. J. Burks Logan and William "Bill" Sinkler each received the Charles Brown Award during a breakfast ceremony at the College. The award is given each year to a Salem resident who has contributed significantly, both professionally and civically, to the city's quality of life. It is named for Dr. Charles Brown, the College's first dean and a former mayor of Salem.

Logan, a Salem native and 1960 Roanoke College graduate, is a retired dentist who practiced in Salem for nearly 40 years. It was his life mission to provide quality care to as many people as possible, even if it meant working seven days a week.

Since retiring in 2005, Logan has turned some of his efforts to helping preserve Salem's history. He served for two terms on the board of directors for the Salem Museum and Historical Society, and he was one of the leaders of the museum's capital campaign to raise nearly $3 million for an expansion.

Logan has held leadership roles with his church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, and as an avid football fan, he rarely misses a home or away Salem High School football game.

Sinkler's influence permeated throughout the hallways of the region's schools, where for 40 years, he was a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Sinkler, a South Carolina native, mostly worked in Roanoke City Schools, but he served for 17 years as a member of the Salem City School Board, from 1993 to 2010.

His work in education was so widely revered that in 2009, the Virginia General Assembly wrote a resolution to commend him for his dedication to students in Roanoke, Salem and Lynchburg.

Sinkler also has served the community in other ways, including as vice chairman of the Salem Planning Commission and in leadership roles with his church, Shiloh Baptist Church in Salem.

Sinkler was unable to attend today's ceremony, but his wife, Marzetta Sinkler, received the award for him.