Dr. Donald Deering

Dr. Donald W. Deering, 61, of Keedysville , Maryland , a leading scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center who managed multinational research projects involving terrestrial ecology and remote sensing and who was instrumental in efforts to use satellites and other self-developed technology to monitor changes in the Earth's environment, died February 15 at his home surrounded by his family.

A native of Lubbock , Texas , he resided during the past 32 years in Laurel , Maryland , and later in Keedysville.

He earned his B.S. in Range Management in 1970 and his M.S. in Range Science in 1972 from Texas Tech University . His formal education culminated with his Ph.D. in Remote Sensing from Texas A&M University in 1978.

During his 30-year career as a physical scientist at NASA, Dr. Deering conceived and built with NASA engineers the original PARABOLA field radiometer instrument for conducting fundamental research into the nature of bidirectional reflectance distribution functions and was awarded the NASA Group Achievement Award, among other numerous awards, for his innovative work. Dr. Deering authored or coauthored numerous articles published in peer reviewed science journals, as well as several leading treatises in his field. He mentored many in the fields of remote sensing and the biospheric sciences, directing students’ doctoral dissertations, as well as providing an encouraging voice for aspiring scientists.

Dr. Deering loved his family, God, and country. His interests were always challenging, as he enjoyed applying his many skills to everyday life. He was an intellectual who never ceased to thrive on studying the nuances of things great and small. He was also an accomplished craftsman, athlete and photographer -- a Renaissance man to his three adoring children. Those who knew him well viewed him as a wonderful teacher, colleague, friend, teammate and neighbor.

He was an insightful and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Laurel, where he served for many years as Chairman of Trustees and as an adult Sunday School teacher. He was player-coach for countless league softball and volleyball seasons. Dr. Deering also served as an active member for many years with The Gideons International. He was most recently a member of Faith Baptist Church in Knoxville , Maryland , where occasionally he was able to teach adult Sunday School despite complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Deering gave selflessly of his time to others.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita Darling Deering; three children, son, Christopher Wayne Deering and wife Amy Harrell Deering of Birmingham , Ala. , daughter Nicole Deering Stover and husband Richard Stover of Helena, Ala., and daughter Kimberly Deering Martin and husband Larry Martin of Keedysville; and five grandchildren, Cameron Keith Martin, Riley Wayne Martin, Anna Katherine Deering, Michael Christopher Deering and Donnelly Barringer Stover; mother, Virginia Louise Fisher Deering of Lubbock, Texas; mother-in-law Elsie C. Darling and father-in-law Herbert C. Darling, of Keedysville, Maryland; sister, Carolyn Deering Gray and husband Robert, of Albuquerque, NM; brother Gregory Alan Deering and wife Sharon, of Arlington, Texas; and brother Timothy Neal Deering, of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law Eloise Jones and brother-in-law Gregory Jones, of Laurel; and nephew, Erik L. Tilley, of Boulder, Colo.

He will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Keedysville , Maryland . Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro , Maryland . The family will receive visitors there on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place , Rockville , MD 20855 .