Dr. Stephan Edward Mergenhagen

Dr. Stephan Edward "Steve" Mergenhagen, 87, passed away at Frederick Memorial Hospital on March 27, 2018.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Marianne. He is also survived by a son and two daughters from a prior marriage; Stephan Mergenhagen Jr. of Olney, Maryland; Paula deWitt, husband Paul, and granddaughter, Marie, of Nashville, Tennessee; Susan "Sue" Mergenhagen of Silver Spring, Maryland; together with step-daughters Carolanne "Carol" Simpson, husband, Mike, and step-grandsons, Peter and John of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Joanne "Jo" Hosea, in Florida.

Born in Depew, New York on April 12, 1930, Steve was the only son of the late Mary Turban and Anthony Mergenhagen.

In 1952, Steve received a Bachelor of Science degree from Alleghany College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and in 1954 he received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Buffalo, New York. In 1957 he received his doctorate degree from the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; following which, he joined the University's faculty, where he remained until 1958. At this time, he left New York to take up a position as a Research Microbiologist in the National Institute of Dental Research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

After 30 years at the National Institute of Dental Research, NIH, Steve retired in August, 1996.

Throughout his career, with the NIDR, Steve received many academic Honors and Awards, including the "Senior U.S. Scientist Award", from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany.

Following his retirement from the NIH, Steve and Marianne moved to Frederick, where Steve served in a consultancy capacity with former friend and long-time colleague, Dr. Berge Hampar, at Dr. Hampar's biotechnology company,  Bio-Molecular Technology, Inc. in Frederick.

Steve stayed with "BMT" for several years, before deciding it was finally time to retire "properly". In retirement, he went on to enjoy spending his leisure time reading, traveling and walking his companion, rescue dog, Freddy.

The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland, where a memorial service will begin at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Steve's favorite charities, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, at www.stjude.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.