Harold Philip von Gunten

Harold Philip "Phil" von Gunten, 79, of Catonsville, died Thursday, March 4, 2010 at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore after a long courageous battle with lung cancer and other complications. Born June 15, 1930 in Washington, D.C. he was the son of the late Diana Smith von Gunten and Jacob Albert von Gunten. He was the husband of 58 years to Rose Marie Caple von Gunten of Catonsville, formerly of Patapsco. He graduated from Franklin High School in1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed with the anti-aircraft division in El Paso, Tx. and later in Pennsylvania. While on furlough from El Paso, he married his wife the former Rose Marie Caple in January 1952. After leaving the military, he was employed by the U.S. Coast Guard in Curtis Bay. He later attended college and technical schools and was employed by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Howard County. During his 33 years at APL, he was awarded the Antarctic service medal of the United States of America for his service in Antarctica in recognition of valuable contributions to exploration and scientific achievements under the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. He also served in other scientific expeditions to Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands and others. Upon his retirement he was congratulated for his outstanding achievements in conceptualizing, designing, and fabricating custom mechanical, electromechanical and electronic devices and systems, and for the testing, field installation, and the operation of very complex electronic equipment. He contributed to many other projects, but upon his retirement from APL it was written that his most worthy contribution was his dedicated, conscientious and hard-working spirit toward each and every project that he had undertaken. Besides his wife, he is survived by daughters and son-in-laws Nina Maria von Gunten and Joseph Monteiro of Catonsville, Carolyn E. and Joseph LaMartina of Plainfield, Ill., three grandchildren Deanna, Joseph, Jr., and Kelsey LaMartina of of Ill. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother Robert von Gunten, Sr. of Frederick, Janet Davis of Hot Springs, Ark., Diana Thompson of Reno, Nevada, Juanita Weaver of Greenbelt and Verona Krueger of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends at the Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Revs. Mindy Coates and Richard Shamer co-officiating. Interment in Patapsco Cemetery with military honors. Contributions may be made to the Patapsco United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Pat Sisson, 2930 Patapsco Rd., Finksburg, MD 21048. Online condolences may be made at www.fletcherfuneralhome.net.

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