Local writer and educator Ed Slipek passed away after a brief illness and there have been a number of good tributes published.
Bennet Funeral Home Obituary
Richmond Magazine
Style Weekly
Richmond Bizsense

Laurel Street neighbor Charles Pool wrote:

Ed Slipek was a passionate writer who worked tirelessly to encourage brilliant new architecture as well as to wake up Richmond to the treasures of our city’s historic neighborhoods before they are lost to greed and stupidity. I am so very, very grateful for the many articles that he wrote regarding the Oregon Hill community and architecture. Ed was not one to use email, and he kindly allowed me to drop off research on his Spring Hill doorstep on the latest issues. His articles really made a difference in those issues and in the public perception that Oregon Hill is a rare historic resource well-worth preserving.

It is a revelation to read an example of Ed’s brilliant writing that is as pertinent today as it was in 2002 when Oregon Hill was appropriately zoned as a residential neighborhood. Ed’s words are just as relevant now when the Oregon Hill Historic District is again fighting for survival against Code Refresh upzoning proposals that would allow 75′ tall buildings and huge apartment buildings on some blocks of the historic district of modest, two-story homes:

https://www.styleweekly.com/proceeding-as-planned/

Ed’s words live on. We were blessed with his wise words, and there have been few people that have had such a positive impact on our city as Ed Slipek. He will be greatly missed.