Vernon Otto Shumaker

Shumaker, Vernon Otto (Bud)

Binghamton: Vernon Otto Shumaker (Bud) died peacefully on October 1, 2013 surrounded by his loving family and the caring staff at Good Shepherd Fairview Home. Bud is survived by his wife Sarah and children: Barbara S. Levitt (Potomac, MD), Linda M. Shumaker (Binghamton, NY), Frederick F. Shumaker (Binghamton, NY), and Robert D. Shumaker (New York, NY). Bud is also survived by grandchildren: Karen L. Levitt (Alexandria, VA), Emma M. Levitt (Boston, MA), April F. Shumaker (Binghamton, NY), and Katharine H. Shumaker (Loveland, CO) and sons-in-law Joseph A. Levitt (Potomac, MD) and Peter A. Leddy (Binghamton, NY). Bud is predeceased by his daughter Karen Jean, mother Laura Helen, father Fred, and brother Robert. Born in Stroudsburg, PA on November 15, 1921, Bud's life exemplified the Greatest Generation - he grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression, served in the US Navy in World War II, and then helped build America to prominence after the war. Bud received his Civil Engineering degree from Cornell University in 1948 where he played the trumpet in the Big Red Marching Band and was active in his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. After college, Bud worked at McFarland Johnson Engineers in Binghamton, NY where he became a professional engineer specializing in transportation and infrastructure. It was at a fraternity party back at Cornell however, where he met his wife, Sarah Gardner. They married on September 30, 1950. In 1956, Bud started a civil engineering firm with partner Robert J. Martin. Bud then moved on to start Vernon O. Shumaker Consulting Engineers in 1963, a sole proprietorship based in Vestal, NY. Bud grew his firm to 30 employees and was involved in hundreds of civil engineering projects throughout New York State. Most of the firm's projects took place in New York's Southern Tier and its regional infrastructure continues to benefit from his firm's dedication to quality engineering design. Bud was also one of the founding fathers of the Consulting Engineers Council of New York State. When he retired in 1992, his daughter Linda established the successor firm, Shumaker Consulting Engineering & Land Surveying,PC which continues Bud's legacy today. Bud was a freemason and a Shriner. He was also a member of Trinity Church, the American Legion, and was active in Cornell Alumni activities. As an avid outdoorsman, Bud spent much time in his later years maintaining the farm in Silver Lake, PA. Above all though, Bud cherished his wife and children and his steadfast support and love for his family will endure forever. A Celebration of Life will be offered at 10:00 AM Saturday October 5th at Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main Street Binghamton, NY. The Reverend Doctor David Drebert will officiate. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery Portland, PA at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at The McDevitt & McManus Funeral Home, LLC. 88 Front Street, Binghamton, NY, Friday from 4 till 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sean Shumaker's Standing Strong Memorial Fund to help children with cancer, 21 Fenton Ave., Binghamton, NY 13905, c/o Beth Shumaker. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Aegis Cremation & Funeral Services.