Harry Detwiler, Sr.

On November 1, 2011, H. P. “Dutch” Detwiler, Sr. passed away. He was the beloved husband of the late Sue Detwiler. He is survived by his son, Dutch Detwiler, Jr. of Ellicott City, MD; two grandchildren, Angela Zamora and Mike Detwiler, and two great- grandchildren, A. J. and Ava Zamora. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert Detwiler and Hilda Mae Dunton; three brothers Charles and Francis Detwiler and Gordon Johnstone; and two sisters, Alice Taylor and Lesla Cullifer. Dutch served in the U. S. Navy during World War II from 1943- 1946 on the Destroyer Escorts the U.S.S. Canfield and the U.S.S. Deede. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he served in the Merchant Marines. Dutch was a truck driver and retired as a Business Agent for Local 639 in Washington, DC after 35 years of service. Around 1970, Dutch and Sue moved to La Plata where they were surrounded by family and made many lifelong friends. From his knowledge of leadership, he continued those ways even after retirement. Dutch and Sue started the Mall Walkers of St. Charles Mall over 20 years ago. And was known by many as the “Mayor of the Mall Walkers.” He and Sue organized numerous bus trips for the walkers but his favorite was the Annual Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk. In 2006, Dutch and Sue were presented with the Seal of Charles County for having started the Mall Walkers and their commitment to the citizens of Charles County. Dutch was one of a kind. He was forever offering help and offering to give you anything he could. Whether you were family or friend. But he mostly loved helping his family any way he could. He will be greatly missed for his sincere caring and love of his family. Most people will remember his most well known lines, “Ya want anything?” or “Ya need anything?” This was usually how a visit or phone call would end with him. Dutch loved traveling all over the country. He also took several cruises with Sue and other family members. With Dutch’s love for traveling, helping others and entertaining, in the early 90's he organized a reunion for his Destroyer escort ships he was on while in the Navy. They were so well attended and loved by his fellow Navy buddies and their families, Dutch and Sue turned them into a yearly reunion. They held them in places such as Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, Fl, Baton Rouge, LA and Philadelphia, PA just to name a few. These reunions came to an end in recent years due to his decline in health. Until his later years, Dutch could be found all over Charles County helping raise funds for Civista Hospital, supporting Democratic campaigns, visiting the Veterans’ home and nursing home on a regular basis, always bringing a smile and plenty of goodies for the staff. He also enjoyed visiting the Sisters over at Mt. Carmel Monastery with his boxes of mints in tow. Never forgetting his days as a Business Agent, you could also find Dutch on many picket lines encouraging workers and supplying them with food or whatever they needed. Until April 2010, Dutch lived in his La Plata home when health issues required him to move to Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home where he resided until his death. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and The Moose Lodge. Not only will Dutch’s love and support be missed by his son, he will be missed by the many nieces and nephews and friends throughout the community that he has touched over the years. Visitation: Monday, November 7, 2011 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM with American Legion and Funeral Service at 7PM at Raymond Funeral Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646 Clergy: Rev. Charles Long Interment: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 10AM at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD Honorary Pallbearers: United States Navy Honor Guard Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association Southern MD Office, PO Box 1889, La Plata, MD 20646.

Harry Detwiler, Sr.

November 9, 1922 - November 1, 2011