George M. Whitmyre, Jr.
November 23, 1945 - September 6, 2023
George M. Whitmyre, Jr., age 77, of Elkton, MD, a great friend, father, brother, husband, grandfather, and educator, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. An avid musician, machinist, entomologist, space enthusiast, ice dancer, sci-fi reader, and renaissance man, George embraced all that life had to offer.
Born on November 23, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late George M. and Dorothy (Enke) Whitmyre, Sr., George went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania State University. He then earned his master’s degree from the University of Delaware, where he worked for 41 years as a laboratory manager in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He had amazing skills, and, in retirement, continued to share his vast knowledge as a consultant on numerous important projects.
In addition to George’s professional accomplishments, he was also a dedicated musician who performed with several bands. One of his most unique contributions to the music industry was his application of hydroforming to create a steel pan drum in minutes, rather than weeks. He was a co-patent holder for this work.
George was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Sue. George was the proud father of his son, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Aya; and extended family, Buffy and Tom (Katie). He will be dearly missed by his brothers, David (Donna) and Gary (Jill); nieces and nephews, Brandon, Stacey (Ryan), and Emma (Nick); and his five grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 7:30 pm on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 7:30 pm. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to Peace Drums Project, 2200 Arch Street, Unit 915, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by visiting https://www.peacedrumsproject.org or to The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 or online by clicking here.
Joel Davis
David and Gary know, I’m sure, but Sue, you may not know that, even though George was 2 it 3 years older than me, he and I were best of pals until college sent us our separate ways. We both loved science and worked on many projects together, especially building rockets and making movies. George was and is an intrinsic part of who I am today, and his memory lives on. I mourns his passing.
Sue Timko
I am so sorry Sue and family! He was a great man! He will be missed dearly! You all will be in my prayers and thoughts!
Steve Lewis
George played in my band off and on for many years. Excellent musician and wonderful person. He will be missed . God bless George and his family
Mark B. Shiflett
George designed and constructed 6 new chemical engineering experiments for the University of Kansas, Chemical Engineering Unit Operations Laboratory over the past 7 years. We have 80-100 senior undergraduate students who run the experiments each year. The experiments provide hands-on experiences that strengthen their knowledge in the fundamental principles of chemical engineering (e.g., kinetics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, controls, and separations). We loved working with George and his legacy will live on through the 1000’s of engineering students who will benefit from running the experiments he built for decades to come at the University of Kansas.
Dennis Mullen
The only opportunity I had to meet George in person was last year when and Sue came out west. It was a wonderful experience talking with him and the vast knowledge contained within him. What impressed me and made me smile more was the caring and affection he and Sue had for each other. It was something special ! I know George you will be truly be missed. George you did good in this life. You were a good guy.
Ron Brabson
Dear Sue and Family:
George was one of the “good guys”.
He will be sorely missed in the third row in the Sax section.
RAB
Newark Community Band
Ismat Shah and Cynthia Morgan
Sue and the family- You are in our thoughts.
Ismat
Scott Nelson
Sorry for your loss.
The world has lost a great man.
Deepest condolences from Scott Nelson.
Corinne Hamed
Dear Sue and family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of your beloved George. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult time.
My prayers are with you and your family as you navigate this journey of grief.
Michele Atwell
George will be missed. He was a sweet man and I’m glad I got to see him before his passing. Sue, I love you! Thinking of you and the family!
Barbara Klein, BHS ‘63
My deepest sympathies. May you find peace and happiness with the memories you have shared over the years.
Dr. And Mrs. Jay Zink
I remember George as a terrific person from the 7th grade at Whitehall Junior High School. He was a star in science and math. He excelled in Mr. Phillips’ Science Class.
He was soft-spoken, somewhat shy, and extremely intelligent. He was in the Whitehall Junior High School Band and distinguished himself there. Rest your good soul, George. Heaven always needs good woodwinds.
Love and Fond Memories.
Dr. Jay Zink
Baldwin High School
Class of 1963
The Halbergs
Our deepest and warmest condolences to his family. George was so special and his contributions to science and engineering are a great testimony to his talent and hard work. George was always so engaging, endearing, always working and caring for others and his wonderful personality will be so sorely missed. Much love to Sue and family.
Sarah Palmer
Sue, I am saddened to hear of George’s passing. We are thinking of you and your family. He was such a warm and kind person.
Steve DeMond
George was a valued member of the Swing City Band and the Music Masters band. He was known for his accuracy and precision playing the bari sax. We miss him and mourn his passing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family.
Bruce Kolka
The world lost a truly great guy
I remember George from Penn State Artist’s series and Thespians
For Brigadoon in 1967, he built a fog machine out of half of a 55 gallon drum, a hot plate, bucket of hot water, top with a fan and hose and dry ice. Worked very well.
He also painted a Linnebach projector slide which after it was used, hung for many years in the loft.
Amy Chen and Wei-Jun Cai
We are sorry that George passed away. We only knew him for the past 6 years, but felt like he was an old friend to us. He was truly a very kind person and had helped us a lot. We will miss him immensely.
Richard H. MARUYA
Sue, Andy and Gary. My Condolences for your loss George was a very good man and he will surely be missed.
Denise Yuen
Dear George,
I met you back in 2002 in Colburn Lab at UD. You taught me many great skills to do different things in the lab that I can even use the same skills throughout my life! Thank you for teaching me! Even your son Andy said that “ My dad is ‘crazy’, crazy in a good way because he created many things that no one did before.” He was talking your musical steel pan. It was my honor to work with you, George. You will be missed!
Linda
Not very often do you meet a person as interesting and enjoyable as George. I am honored to have known him. He is loved dearly and will be missed by many.
Lena
Dawn Yasik
I worked with George for 12 years at UD. He truly was a renaissance man! I think he had more talents than anyone I’ve known. More importantly, he was a very kind and generous person. The year I was promoted from secretary to accountant he gave me a gift for Administrative Professionals day (it was probably still called Secretaries Day back then) so I wouldn’t feel left out and even though I never worked for him directly. I was really impressed by his compassion when he visited a grad student in the hospital after she was injured in an accident. He was fun too. He gave my husband some great gag gifts from the lab when the staff threw us a babyshower, and once he frosted a cardboard box ‘cake’ for a staff birthday party. He was such an important part of the Chemical Engineering family. I’m sure there are countless people mourning his loss.
Darrel Stickler
I was a student working in the shop in the late 70s, doing projects for Dr. Glenn Schraeder. George was always enthusiastic and helpful herding all the student cats, grad and undergrad, not to mention the machinists and welders working full time in the shop. Fond memories. George’s voice and smile still rings out. — Darrel, BSChE ‘80
Becky (Uffelman) Thornton
David, Gary, Sue and the family,
Sorry to hear of George’s passing. My sisters and I have fond memories of the Whitmyer boys living next door to us on East Willock Road. Our heartfelt condolences to the Whitmyer family.