Whether writing about a local concert, a community festival or a neighbor with a hidden talent, Eric Feber (B.A. ’71) had a gift for finding the beating heart in every story.
For more than four decades as a Virginian-Pilot journalist, Feber chronicled the culture, color and creativity of Hampton Roads. His “Clippie Awards” in the Chesapeake Clipper, The Pilot’s community publication, celebrated the people and moments that made the city shine. The annual feature included a photo of Feber in attire fit for the Oscars.
“Eric agreed to several poses in a black tuxedo with a make-believe giant Chesapeake water tower as the trophy,” said Mark Kozak, a longtime colleague and former editor. “It was a hoot.”
Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, in 1949, Feber moved with his family at age 5 to Norfolk, Virginia. He grew up in the Ghent neighborhood and graduated cum laude from Old Dominion University with a degree in European history and a minor in religious philosophy in 1971.
According to his obituary, Feber’s Dutch heritage remained a source of pride, as was his love for European football, especially Tottenham and Manchester United.
At The Pilot, Feber was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music and his deep appreciation for the arts. Kozak called him “a Renaissance man,” who was as comfortable discussing Shakespeare as he was jazz. Feber reveled in reviewing local performances and recalled fondly attending Woodstock in 1969. He never tired of the sounds of The Who, The Beatles or The Dave Clark Five.
Despite writing thousands of stories, Feber never chased a byline. He was happiest celebrating others, from local teachers to high school performers, and could always find new angles on even the most familiar annual events. “Some writers might have argued over a comma,” Kozak recalled. “Eric would just quickly reply, ‘Everything looks great.’ He had already moved on to his next story.”
After receiving a heart transplant in 2015, Feber embraced every extra year as a gift. He was especially fond of traveling, reading and doting on his grandchildren, according to his obituary.
“My dad lived life in the moment,” said Claire Billups, Feber’s daughter. Despite his cardiovascular challenges, he wasn’t one to complain and chose instead to embrace joy. Feber chronicled his health journey in The Virginian-Pilot in 2019:
“Each day is sweeter than the previous. Cold winter days, dog-days of summer, rainy periods, I savor them all. Sunrises and sunsets are marveled. Vivaldi sounds more effervescent,” Feber wrote of life after receiving a heart from an unknown donor.
Feber died of cancer on November 15, 2024. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, but also as a writer whose words articulated the joy in everyday life.
Cristina Rodriguez Velez was the Fall 2025 News and Media Relations Intern for University Communications. She is an English major with a technical writing concentration and a marketing minor who is set to graduate in December 2026.