John Munson

1926 - 2016

On Friday February 19, 2016 John Christian Munson departed this life for the next, into the arms of our Lord and John's loving wife, Elaine.

John was born on October 9, 1926 in Clinton, Iowa, the eldest son of Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Frances Munson. He was raised in this Mississippi River town and graduated from Clinton High School in 1944. He enlisted in the US Navy and was selected for the Navy's V-12 program; a four year academic program for officer development, and enrolled at Iowa State College (now University). After the end of World War II he served as a Fireman First Class on the USS Endicott, a destroyer/mine sweeper – taking her to Bremerton, WA to be retired. John returned to Iowa State and completed his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Electrical Engineering) in 1949. He accepted a position of research scientist at the Navy Ordinance Laboratory (NOL) at White Oak (Silver Spring) MD. This began his long and distinguished career in underwater acoustics, research, development, and application. While at NOL John earned his M.S. (1952) and Ph.D. (1962) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland and accepted a one year sabbatical to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

After 17 years of increasing responsibilities at NOL John moved to the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC as Superintendent of the Acoustics Division; a position he held for 17 years until he retired in 1985 having earlier received the US Navy Superior Civilian Service Award.

Upon moving to Silver Spring, MD in 1949 John became active in the First Baptist Church and its music program where he met, courted, and in September 1950 married his soul-mate and love of his life Elaine Hendershot. They were later blessed with two children, Chris and Holly. The Munsons made their home in Silver Spring until John and Elaine moved to Buckingham's Choice (BC) in 2000. At Buckingham's Choice John has served as Vice President of the Buckingham's Choice Residents Association (BCRA) and chair of the Ad Hoc Technology Committee. He was involved in writing the present (BCRA) By-Laws. John and Elaine coordinated the collection of biographical sketches of BC residents.

Vocal music has been at the core of John's life. Since high school he led or participated in choirs, choruses, including the BC Singers, and as lead in the Free State Four men's quartet. John has dedicated many years in leadership positions in his Baptist faith from the local to national levels including church financial secretary, Sunday school teacher, President of the DC Baptist Convention, member of the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA, Director of the American Baptist Homes of the West, and Trustee of the Midwestern Baptist Seminary. He was the founding President of Allied Silver Spring Services to Seniors Today (ASSIST).

Other interests John has enjoyed include camping in their RV, canoeing, golf, walking (including the English Cotswold's), gardening, traveling, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading and recreational math.

John was a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In addition to numerous awards John holds eight patents.

John was preceded in death by his parents Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Frances Munson, brother David Munson, sister Elizabeth Lawrence, niece Terrill Hendershot, and the love of his life Elaine Munson.

John leaves behind his son Chris, daughter-in-law Karen Ferguson, daughter Holly, husband Dr. Brad LeVora and their daughters Paige, Kendall, Peyton, Denae' and husband Patrick Clark and their daughter Sutton Elaine, brother Arthur and wife Jean Munson, sister-in-law Ellie Munson, brother-in-law, Jim and wife Trish Hendershot and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of John will be held on Friday March 18, 2016 at 2:00 at Buckingham's Choice 3200 Baker Circle Adamstown, MD with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Buckingham's Choice Residents Assistance Fund, (mail address: Buckingham's Choice 3200 Baker Circle Adamstown, MD 21710 with annotation "for Buckingham's Choice Residents Assistance Fund"; the url is https:\\54974thankyouforcaring). Or, contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.