Howard High School Alumni
Ellicott City, Maryland (MD)
Patrick 'Rick' A. O'Donnell II Obituary
Patrick 'Rick' A. O'Donnell II attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, MD. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Patrick 'rick' A. O'donnell Ii.
| Graduation Year | Class of 1967 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 17, 2013 |
| About | Patrick A. (Rick) O'Donnell, II, a resident of Frederick, MD for 19 years, went to be with the Lord after an active life and courageous and optimistic battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by his loving family. Rick was the eldest of five children born to Patrick A. and Lea Mae O'Donnell in Pittsburgh, PA, 1949. He spent his childhood in Pittsburgh and New Jersey, and his family eventually settled in Ellicott City, MD, where Rick graduated with honors from Howard High School in 1967. He subsequently enrolled at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and graduated with highest honors with a B.S. in math and physics in 1972. Upon graduation he became employed as a physicist at the U.S. Navy's David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Annapolis, MD. Rick earned his Master of Arts in Applied Math/Solid Mechanics from the University of Maryland College Park in 1977. He went on to work for GenRad, Inc. and LMS North America where he provided complex technical and sales support, product training, and software development in acoustic and vibrations systems engineering and applications. At the time of his passing, Rick was employed by General Dynamics Information Technology of Fairfax, VA for 19 years. He was provid- ing senior engineering support to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. He completed graduate coursework toward a Master of Engineering in Acoustics through the dis- tance education program at Penn State University. Rick was active in various churches and worship groups, whereupon he met his loving wife, Brenda, in 1982. Brenda and Rick married later that year and had two lovely daughters, Julie Lynne and Emily Jane, whom Rick enjoyed taking on family outings, helping with homework, and cheering on at basketball games and music recitals. He and Brenda became longtime members of New Life Foursquare Church in Frederick, MD, where Rick particularly enjoyed partici- pating in maintenance and service projects. Rick studied classical piano for 10 years, and he encouraged his family to enjoy music through his participation in numerous organized recitals and home practice sessions. Rick enjoyed gardening and yard work, sightseeing, and the memorable Alaskan cruise trip he and Brenda took to celebrate their anniversary in 2009. He also enjoyed the Baltimore Orioles, Frederick Keys, Baltimore Ravens, and the old Baltimore Colts. He fondly remembered his enjoyment of field archery as a youngster with his dad. In later years, Rick developed a passion for running. He was a strong advocate for running and encouraged other runners through local running groups and the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, of which he was a proud member. He met many wonderful friends and was privileged to enjoy significant health benefits and camaraderie through running. Rick qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon twice. He also finished the Frederick and Baltimore Marathons each four times. He also completed Freedom's Run in WV and the Pittsburgh Marathon. Rick twice ran the Ragner Relay from Cumberland to Washington, D.C., as a part of a dedicated running team. He ran one half-marathon and a number of shorter road races, including the 2012 Gate River Run in Jacksonville, FL with his daughter Julie, who is also a runner. |
| Events | Friends and family are invited to share memories of Rick during a Celebration of Life to be held at New Life Foursquare Church, Frederick, MD, 21703 on Saturday, March 23. Visitation will begin at 10 am, and the memorial service will begin at 11 am followed by a lunch reception. In lieu of flowers, Rick's family requests that contributions be made toward continuing cancer research through the American Cancer Society, The Cholangio-carcinoma Foundation, or other similar organization. |
Barbara Morris '84 posted a photo:
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