Everett Wesley Opdahl

Everett Wesley Opdahl, 95, of Glen Arm, Maryland, passed away peacefully on 28 February 2022. He was born to Clara and Olaf Opdahl on 2 January 1927 in Bethpage, New York. The second of four sons, Everett’s life began during the Roaring Twenties, he grew up during the Great Depression, and he reached adulthood during World War II. While attending Farmingdale High School, he was a member of the wrestling team. Upon graduation in 1944, Everett entered military service during World War II as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army. After the war, he attended Mohawk College for two years and was a member of its wrestling team. He then transferred to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he studied Mechanical Engineering, graduating third in a class of 60 students. He was elected to Tau Beta Pi, the oldest and most prestigious engineering honor society in the United States. Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and became a licensed Professional Engineer.

His first engineering position was with Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, followed by employment with Target Rock Corporation, Fairchild Aviation, and Weston Engineering. In 1965, Everett and his family moved from New York to Maryland where Everett was employed by the Oceanic Division of Westinghouse Electric Company for 22 years. He rose to the level of Advisory Engineer. After retiring from the Oceanic Division, he spent fifteen years providing engineering consulting through his corporation Fair Haven Enterprises. Over the span of his 51-year career, Everett was awarded seven patents.

Everett married the love of his life, Darrah Best McConnell, in 1956. They met while teaching Sunday School and started their life together in Sea Cliff, New York, eventually relocating to Poughkeepsie, New York; Lutherville, Maryland; and Glen Arm, Maryland. They were blessed with two children. Throughout their life together, Darrah and Everett created a haven for others, including neighbors, youth, college groups, and missionaries. They modeled the love of Christ through their hospitality.

Everett’s faith in Christ, love for God, and love for others was evident in all that he did—at home, at work, at church, and in the community. His wisdom, patience, insight, and sense of humor were all qualities his family and friends cherished. He was active in a variety of local churches over his lifetime as a Sunday school teacher, an elder, a trustee, and a youth leader. In the community, Everett coached wrestling and baseball. At home, he was an avid Orioles fan, enjoyed developing his own photographs in a darkroom he created, loved to play golf, and was often found thinking about new, creative, practical ways to solve everyday problems. Most of all, he was always quick to offer a listening ear and, if asked, to provide sound counsel to anyone in need—always over a cup of coffee. Having grown up in poverty, he was deeply committed to the work of two Baltimore inner city missions for children. In addition, he volunteered countless hours renovating houses to provide living places for the working poor in Baltimore City through Habitat for Humanity.

Everett is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Darrah; two children: David Wesley Opdahl (Susan) of Glen Arm, Maryland; and Stephanie Opdahl Hubach (Frederick) of Stevens, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Whitney Opdahl, Ryan Opdahl, Erik Opdahl, Paige Opdahl Tyrie (Matthew), Frederick Hubach (Cecelia), and Timothy Hubach; and one greatgrandchild: Caroline Hubach. Everett is predeceased by three brothers: Robert Opdahl, Roger Opdahl, and Stuart Opdahl.

A private family burial service will be held on 7 March 2022. A public celebration of life service will be held at Fork Christian Church, 6810 Sunshine Avenue, Kingsville, Maryland on 11 June 2022 at 10am. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Everett Opdahl may be made to The Helping Up Mission or Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.