Orville Bowersox, Jr.

Orville Clifford Bowersox Jr., passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016.

Orville was born January 20, 1925 the only child of Orville C.  Bowersox Sr. and Edith Ella Harris New Windsor, Md.

Orville attended Westminster Public Schools 1931 – 1942 graduating from Westminster High School and he enjoyed participating in many of their class reunions.  After serving in the Army during WW II in the Pacific theater using the GI Bill he graduated in 1949 from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College) with a BA in Biology.  Maintaining college ties he was active in the College Alumni Assoc.  Graduate work was done at the Univ. of Md. College Park.  After meeting Eleanor Jane Nettleship in a bacteriology class at McDaniel College they were married on campus June 1951 in the Old Baker Chapel.

Orville and Eleanor had three children, Christine Elisabeth of Frederick, Md., Karl Robert of Cumberland, Md., and Virginia Mae who died in infancy.

He had jobs working on the family dairy farm, in a machine shop, and then as a chemist at Fort Detrick from which he retired in 1995.

Orville was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church Frederick, Md., a member of the historic Stone Chapel, and a life member of the Strawbridge Shrine, both in New Windsor, Md.  He served as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and was asked to preach and teach in other churches.  He especially used his teaching skills in the Leaders Bible Class at Calvary Church.

His travels included the Wales, England, Scotland, Germany and several church mission trips.

Orville loved his ham radio hobby and was very active in the American Amateur Radio League for Ham Radio Operators.

He enjoyed gardening and was also a volunteer for the National Park Service.

Orville donated his body to the Maryland Anatomical Board with the hope that what knowledge is gained will improve the health of future generations.

A Celebration of Orville’s Life will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, Second and Bentz Streets, Frederick, Md. on Thursday, September 22, at 2 pm in the Chapel.  Revs. Harry C. Cole, Steve Larsen, and Robert Manthey will officiate.  The family wishes that all attending wear colorful ‘fall’ colors to celebrate Orville’s life.  In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Calvary U.M.C. Mission Fund, 131 W. Second Street, Frederick, Md 21701.