Dorsey W. Baumgardner

Mr. Dorsey Waters Baumgardner, 80, of Frederick, and more recent a resident of Country Meadows, died on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at North Hampton Manor Health Care Center, after a courageous 15 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was the loving husband of Dolores Dee Burkholder Baumgardner. Born in Frederick on September 15, 1930, he was a son of the late Harry Diehl, Jr., and Hazel Waters Baumgardner. Dorsey was a graduate of Frederick High School Class of 1947. He enlisted in the United States Army Active Reserve, in 1950, and was a Sergeant First Class until 1963, with the 302nd Signal Construction Battalion, United States Army. He was a Communications Engineer, from 1947 to 1950, with the Price Electric Company of Frederick. He was then employed for 42 years with the telephone company, starting out as a Cable Splicer in 1950 with the C & P Telephone Company, and advancing to Facility Engineer, before retiring in 1992 from Bell Atlantic, now Verizon. He was Vice President, 5th District, of the Communication Workers of America Union from 1960 to 1966. Dorsey was a life member of the B. P. O., Elks Lodge No. 684, Frederick, and was a past exalted ruler from 1977 to 1978. He was former president of the Elks Home Association from 1997 to 1999. He was also a member of the Francis Scott key American Legion Post 11, life member of the Telephone Pioneers, Communications Workers of America, Local # 2100, The Catoctin Club of Frederick, The Frederick Travel Club and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Upon his retirement, Dorsey and Dee enjoyed surf fishing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and in Chincoteague, Virginia. He also enjoyed traveling and had visited many countries, including, Australia, North and South New Zealand, Europe, Canada, South America, Ireland, and throughout the United States. The family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of love and care Dorsey, received during his lengthy illness, from both family and friends. A very special thank you to Edward Rice, who was always there for Dorsey. Also to the Pathway Staff at Country Meadows of Frederick, for their great care and to Dr. Ernest Clevinger for the treatment of Parkinson's. Surviving in addition to his wife is a step daughter, Doreen Anderson and husband Gregg, of Hagerstown, one sister, Doris Ann Webb and husband, John H., of Baltimore, sister-in-law, Elizabeth A. Montgomery Baumgardner, of Eldersburg, nieces, Joanne Tart and husband David, of Eldersburg, and Janet Frain and husband Daniel, of Chestertown, nephews, John Webb and wife LuAnn, David Webb and wife Michelle, all of Pasadena, and Michael Carroll, of Frederick, and many great nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by his former wife, Margaret Lucille Baumgardner. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harry D. Baumgardner III and a sister, Bettie Marie Carroll. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m., on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Keeney and Basford PA Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 PM. The Elks Lodge will conduct a memorial service at 8:30 PM. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 5, 2011 in the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the funeral home. Rev. Dr. W. Philip Fogarty, pastor emertius of Evangelical Lutheran Church, will officiate. Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P. O. Box 780, New York, NY, 10008-0780, or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.