Truckin' on the Western Branch

A. Russell “Russ” Kirk Russ Kirk and Dan Hoffler were friends at Churchland High. Kirk graduated in 1966. Today the two still share a friendship, and Kirk serves as Vice Chairman of Armada Hoffler Holding Company.

I first met Dan when I was about 10 years old and playing Little League baseball on the Yankees. Dan was on the Reds, and his dad was the coach. We have so much in common and 30 years in business together.

In Churchland our values came from the people and the school, and they had a lot to do with our success in life. Churchland was an idyllic little place. You knew where you came from. It was the culture of the community.

People in Churchland were practical—would do the right thing. It had a family-like atmosphere. The people in my parents’ generation were part of the Greatest Generation of the World War II era. They saw the horror of the war and it made them stoic and protective of children, duty, and honor.

After school every day I got on my bike and rode all over to play baseball at Sterling Point or football in West Norfolk. All the parents looked out for all the kids—you felt protected and secure. The annexation changed everything—split the communities.

A. Russell “Russ” Kirk. Images by Sheally

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