ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, December 6, 1993                   TAG: 9312060165
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OBIT SWEATMAN, PHILIP RAYMOND

SWEATMAN, Philip Raymond, 41, of Roanoke passed away Friday, December 3, 1993, in a local hospital. He was born March 21, 1952 in Westfield, New York, a son of Robert P. Sweatman and Joyce Waite Sweatman of Roanoke. He was preceded in death by a brother, M. Robert (Bobby) Sweatman. He was a member of the Penhook United Methodist Church, Glade Hill. Philip's love for dance and music began at an early age. When he was 14 years old, he received a scholarship to study dance at the San Francisco Ballet and at age 16, he was accepted for study at the American Ballet and the Harkness Ballet, New York. As an accomplished dancer, he performed with the Harkness Ballet of New York, the Les Grande Balletes Canadiens and the Pennsylvania Ballet. His work in musical performances included "Gone With the Wind", "The Bobby Gentry Show" and "Peter Pan". He was assistant choreographer to Joe Layton in the TV Special "Streisand and other Musical Instruments" and "Tony Basil". He was featured dancer in the film "Dark Secrets of Harvest Home" with Bette Davis. After moving to Virginia to be near family, he was guest dancer and teacher at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Hollins College, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Ballet and Floyd Ward. When he became ill, he began working with the American Red Cross, giving seminars and teaching to increase public knowledge and dispel fear about AIDS. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Donald Sweatman, Napa, Calif.; four sisters, Kathleen Jones, Charlene Rivas, both of Roanoke, Charlotte Rodriguez, Salinas, Calif, Dawn Morgan, Watsonville, Calif.; a close friend, Mike Blankenship, Glade Hill. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 11, 1993, 7 p.m., at the Penhook United Methodist Church, Glade Hill. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home, Bedford. 


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