Dame Evans Merrill, born June 24, 1931, died August 13, 2016. He was 85 years old.
Dame is survived by the pride of his life, his three sons and their families: Jack & Dawn of Conowingo, MD, Bob & Ginger and their daughter Elizabeth Jackson of New London, NH and Franklin, TN, and Tom & Kim and their sons Stephen and Tyler, all of Joppa, MD. Also his companion Sue Henderson of Middle River, MD. Dame was predeceased by his wife Mildred Joan Coard Merrill, his sister Denise, parents Cora and Albert Merrill, and his miniature schnauzer Herman.
Dame grew up in the Govans area of Baltimore around the corner from his childhood sweetheart, Joan. He spent his summers on his aunt and uncle’s small farm in Fawn Grove, PA. He graduated from Baltimore City College in 1948. Dame attended Johns Hopkins University and completed his engineering B.S. in night school at the University of Baltimore.
Shortly after high school he enlisted in the Navy and became a medical corpsman and was assigned to the USS Saipan (CLV 48) aircraft carrier, based in Norfolk, VA. While assigned to the Saipan, Dame circumnavigated the globe, crossed the equator, and served in combat at the conclusion of the Korean War from 1953-54. While in the Navy he married Joan in 1952.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Dame went to work for the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company (later Martin-Marietta), in their Quality Laboratory. He would spend his entire career working in this lab, eventually retiring as the Director in 1989. During his tenure at Martins, a highlight of his career was his involvement in both the Manned and the Robotic Space programs of NASA. Dame worked extensively on the Titan boasters which launched Gemini into space, on various components used in the Apollo missions and the lunar landings, with the Skylab missions, and also was involved in testing on various pieces of the Viking Mars Landers, and the Pioneer and Voyager space probes which explored beyond Mars to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Outside of work, Dame was very involved as a Cub, Scout, and Explorer Scout leader, serving in various capacities with Pack, Troop and Post 458 for thirty years. He was also a leader at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, serving as a Deacon, an Elder, and Sunday school teacher over the course of many decades.
Dame loved to work in his woodshop and was a fine furniture and wood craftsman. He made furniture for the family and friends and toys for his grandchildren. He was an avid gardener. He enjoyed camping and led or attended many an adventure with the Scouts and Explorers. In his retirement years he enjoyed trailer camping, ocean cruises, and travels all over the United States, Canada, and the world.
A graveside service will be held at the Mountain Christian Church Cemetery, 1824 Mountain Rd. in Joppa, on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., his son, Pastor Bob Merrill will lead the service. In lieu of flowers, his family, invites you to make contributions in memory of Dame to the charity of your choice, including the Baltimore Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and any worthy Veterans organization.

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