JOHN C. MUNSON

MUNSON JOHN C. MUNSON 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. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and was selected for the Navy''s four year academic program for officer development, and enrolled at Iowa State College (now University). After the end of World War II, he served on the USS Endicott. After discharge, John returned to Iowa State completing 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, 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. Later, 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 where he met and married his soul-mate and love of his life Elaine Hendershot. They were later blessed with two children, Chris and Holly. The Munson''s moved to 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. Vocal music has been important 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 traveling in their RV, canoeing, golf, international walking, gardening, 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 p.m. 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.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.