Oesterling

David Harold Oesterling, 83, of La Plata, Md., died Wednesday.

He was born Oct. 28, 1925, in Butler.

Mr. Oesterling graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program in 1943 and was on active duty until November 1945. He was recalled to active duty from August 1950 to August 1951 and served in the Active Reserve Forces through September 1959.

He retired as a supervisory chemist from the Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, Md., where he worked for 32 years. He had been responsible for the development and coordination of analytical procedures in support of NAVORDTECHCEN's program for the Technical Exploration of Foreign Ordnance.

He was a lifetime member of the D.C. Ramblers Motorcycle Club; a life member of the American Motorcycle Association; a life member of the National Rifle Association; and a former member of the Charles County Powder Burners.

He enjoyed travel by motorcycle and later travel trailer, including two trips to Alaska.

Mr. Oesterling was the son of the late Willis Harold Oesterling and the late Bertha Pauline Gibson. He also was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Patricia Buckley Oesterling.

He is survived by his children, Jane Burke of California, Md., Ruth and her husband, Doug Case, of La Plata, Mary and her husband, Wade Mayonado, of Leonardtown, Md., and Matthew Oesterling and his wife, Teresa, of La Plata; and grandchildren, Shannon Case, Erin and Jimmy Mayonado, Jessica Sizemore, Gunther and Abigail Oesterling.

<B>OESTERLING</B> — A memorial service for David Harold Oesterling, who died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009, at the D.C. Ramblers Motorcycle Club, 11519 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Charles County, P.O. Box 1703, La Plata, MD 20646.Arrangements are by the <B>Raymond Funeral Service</B>, P.A., La Plata, MD.