Richard “Dickie” Younger, 85, passed away on November 11, 2022. Born March 26, 1937 in Prince Frederick, Maryland, Dickie was the first child born to Richard Zachariah Younger, Sr. and Mildred Ellen Joy Younger.
Dickie grew up in Solomons and Dowell before moving across the creek to his parent’s final home in Olivet. His love of the outdoors started early. He grew up with his brothers, sisters and cousins boating, fishing, crabbing, hunting, water skiing, and, ice skating on local creeks and ponds.
Dickie graduated from Calvert High School in 1955. Among other places, he worked on the construction of Dulles Airport, and at “The Shipyard” for Cruis-Along before becoming part of the Research Fleet at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) in Solomons in 1961. He was a skilled mechanic and boat captain.
In 1960, he met his future wife, Frances Purwin, who also worked at CBL, while ice skating on a pond in Drum Point. They married in June of 1962. They welcomed two children, Rick and Laura.
The CBL family played volleyball at lunch time where Dickie was an avid participant. The group also sang carols to house-bound neighbors. He and his family and friends waterskied for miles in the summer and ice-skated in the winter, day and night. He worked with other CBL folks to build and test “research equipment” including one item that later became the ice boat. (If you know, you know!)
Dickie retired from CBL in 1990. He continued to hunt, fish and crab, often sharing his catch with family, neighbors, and friends. Cutting and splitting wood and restoring a Palmer engine were high on his list of ‘fun’. He was quick to offer help when mechanical things failed often having several of the specific tools needed. He was a repetitive blood donor, having donated gallons over the years. Dickie will be remembered for his jokes and sense of humor.
Dickie is survived by his wife, Fran Younger, son, Rick Younger of Lusby and daughter, Laura Younger of Olivet. He is also survived by his brother, Tommy Younger and his wife, Sandra of St. Leonard, his brother Ernie Younger of Charlotte Hall, his brother-in-law Tim Hale and his wife Julie of Annapolis, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, CBL family “old” and new, and friends near and far.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Julia Younger Hale and Betty Jo Younger Riley.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2023.
If you are so inclined, please consider donating blood to your local Red Cross or a memorial donation to:
Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 189, Solomons, MD 20688.
Ray 'Flexy' Smith
November 21 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
Condolences and Prayers to the Younger family. Dickie was always a gentlemen and friend to all he encountered.
Joan Baki Fratantuono
November 20 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
My Love and Prayers to Fran and the family. I have many fond memories of growing up in the Olivet neighborhood with the whole Younger family. I knew them all, his brothers and sisters. A wonderful family. Dickie will be missed in the Olivet Community.
Kim Warner
November 19 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Fran, Rick and Laura. I was the lucky neighbor of Dickie on St. John’s Creek, who was always getting me out of scrapes like clearing trees that crashed across the only road out and creating wonderful memories of ice boating on the creek and indulging in wild turkey he hunted that had the bad timing of hanging out in the hood near Thanksgiving! What a blessing to know such a warm generous spirit. Much love to the family.
Peter Siegert
November 18 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
Fran, Laura & Ricky I am sorry for your loss
He was a giant of a man in many many ways.
I know he will be missed by us all.
Joseph Norris
November 18 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
To Rick and Laura
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
“Death is not the end. It is the dimming of the lamp because dawn has come. ”
– Tigori
Virginia Zyriek
November 18 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
My deepest condolences to Fran and children! I will past this message to my son,Don Zyriek, in Tempe Az. Fran was instrumental in Don’s Eagle Project! The Younger Family is my fondest memory when we lived in Drum Point. God Bless and Keep you during this time of grief!!
Bob & Marijka Ulanowicz
November 17 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
Our prayers for comfort to Fran, Ricky & Laura. I will always remember how Dickie kept everyone in good humor out in the field (and on the volleyball court)! He is missed. Peace be with you all!
Janet Barnes
November 17 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
Dickie, Thanks for the Memories….. I first met Dickie in 1976 when I was a summer student at CBL’s Hallowing Point Field Station. He was the R/V Venus captain and I spent numerous nights on the Potomac River with the striped bass beach seining crew while Dick was out a ways towing nets. Highlights with Dick on those cruises included the early morning taxi rides to our motel where we all (smelling like fish) tried to cram into the back, leaving the “loser” to ride up front. When I became a mate on the research vessels, one of his best hi-jinks was this VERY loud siren connected to a battery. When a boat came flying into the harbor, Dick would sprint over to the battery, setting off the siren. We loved to watch the reactions of the unsuspecting people on those boats! Enough for now, but he always kept things positive and fun while working hard to get the job done. Dick, we will miss you. Hugs to Fran, Laura and Rick, Janet
Mark
November 16 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
A great man. An icon of our family. The loss cannot be scored. His strength, humor, and kindness will be sorely missed. It was a privilege to be a “rascal” in his eyes.
Julia
November 15 – Obituary: Richard Zachariah Younger, Jr.
So sorry for your loss.
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