Dr. Samuel A. Mudd

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, 74, died Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at his home. He was the husband of Margaret Alwine Mudd for 44 years. Dr. Mudd was born November 14, 1930, in New Cumberland, the son of the late William I. and Frances Thompson Mudd. He was a 1948 graduate of Camp Hill High School. In 1949 he entered the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S.S. LST 601. The next year he entered the U.S. Air Force as a Tech Controller in the 1945th AACS Squadron in Rhein Main, Germany. After being discharged from the Air Force, Dr. Mudd entered Gettysburg College, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Psychology and earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. He received his Master's and Ph.D. from Purdue University in Industrial Psychology. Dr. Mudd taught psychology at Gettysburg College from 1958 through 1998 and was Chairman of the Psychology Department from 1971 through 1982. His research and publications include: Display and Controls on Man-Machine Systems; Image research on consumer products; political figures and human service programs; and Innovation and Creativity Measurements. Dr. Mudd was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. He was very involved with community service at the neighborhood, borough, and county level. In 2006, Dr. Mudd was awarded the John Andrews Memorial Award for Community Service by Main Street Gettysburg. He was a founder of ''From the Ground Up'', a group of dedicated volunteers who collect litter throughout the borough. He was also one of the founders of the Hazel Alley Residents Association, a group dedicated to working with Gettysburg College students living off campus to create a safer, more cooperative, neighborhood. Dr. Mudd also contributed his time to the ''Seeds to Success'' program run by SCCAP. He served for many years on the Borough's Planning Commission. In addition to his wife, Dr. Mudd is survived by four children, Andrea Mudd of Pittsburgh, Todd Mudd of Gettysburg, Joseph Mudd of Merion, and Molly Mudd Freedenberg of Camp Hill; six grandchildren; two brothers, William L. Mudd, Jr. of Sewickley and Joseph R. Mudd of New Cumberland; a sister, Alice Koehler of Sewickley; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Frances Lytle. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 7, 2006, at 3 p.m. from St. James Lutheran Church, York St., Gettysburg. Immediately following the service, a dinner to celebrate the life of Dr. Mudd will be served at the Gettysburg Fire Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Strawberry Hill Nature Center, 1537 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320; or to Land Conservancy of Adams County, P.O. Box 4584, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. The Monahan Funeral Home, Gettysburg, is in charge of arrangements.