Col. Orlyn Oestereich, USA (Ret.)

Col. Orlyn C. Oestereich, USA (Ret.), 83, of Boonsboro, Maryland passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Born July 21, 1927 in Corsica, South Dakota, he was the son of Frederick Oestereich and Dirkie (Berggaker) Oestereich and the second youngest of eleven children. He was preceded in death by his first wife Helene, in 1987.

Orlyn proudly and bravely served his country in the U.S. Army, Medical Service Corps for 37 ½ years and retired in 1984. He earned a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

He was drafted during World War II at the age of 18, and served in Germany. He received a battlefield commission during the Korean War and a Purple Heart during his service in Vietnam. He was also stationed in Japan in the 1950’s and did a second tour of duty in Germany from 1975 to 1979 where he was the Hospital Administrator at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (formerly Second General Hospital). He completed his military career as Commander of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

After retiring from the Army, he volunteered for many organizations. Known as “Opa” to the kids, he volunteered as a mentor to many children at Paramount Elementary School in Hagerstown.

He served on the Washington County Gaming Commission and was active in the Clopper-Michael American Legion Post 10 in Boonsboro. Orlyn also served as the Commander for the American Legion Department of Maryland from July 2009 until July 2010. He was also a member of the Silver Spring Masonic Lodge #215 A.F. & A.M. for over 50 years where he rose to become a 32nd degree Mason.

Orlyn is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Connie (Lowman) Oestereich; his two children, Lisa Oestereich of Silver Spring, Maryland and Mark Oestereich of Frankfurt, Germany; and his two brothers, Norman of Nebraska and Russell of Kansas. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Carlie, Brittany, Gabriel, Adrienne and Yanna. The family extends a special thanks to his neighbors and best friends, Jim and Kelly Rohrer.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, in Boonsboro.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2011 at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, Virginia, with a full military honors interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Col. Orlyn C. Oestereich to the Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 or online at www.HSWCMD.org .