Richard Guenter

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Richard Gerard (Gerry) Guenter of Glen Burnie, Md., age 94, died December 27, 2008 at 10 p.m. of heart failure in Hagerstown, Md.
Born July 28, 1914 in Butler, New Jersey. A 60-year resident of Harundale, Richard was instrumental in the development and construction of the Harundale Little League Association Park and was a baseball coach most years from 1959 through 1981. He was a member of the Boy Scout Council for Troop 474, which was associated with Glendale Elementary and Harundale Presbyterian Church. Member of troop #4 in Butler, New Jersey, he became an Eagle Scout in 1939 and afterwards assisted many young men within the Eagle Scout Program. With 5 children attending Glendale Elementary School, he and his wife Lillian, helped establish the Glendale PTA and were very active members for years. He was a past president of the Harundale Civic Association and helped arrange the Harundale Carnival that took place every year on the site that now houses the Harundale Library. Holding a BA in Education from New Jersey State Teachers College Class of 1939, he was voted most popular and lettered in football, baseball, and basketball. He continued his graduate studies at Rutgers University. During World War II he was the Company Commander of the 511th Military Engineers Light Pontoon Company and built bridges and assisted with the movement of troops all over Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. He received eight medals including a Silver Star, Bronze Star, a Normandy medal, and a Croix de Guerre presented to him by the President of France, Charles De Gaulle. He retired after 28 years of service. Richard's unit was instrumental in the liberation of Luxembourg and after all these years representatives of Luxembourg continue to show him their appreciation. He later served as the Post Engineer at Fort Meade and then Fort Holabird. Well known at Fort Meade for playing golf and his volunteer work, he was one of the original members of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the Veterans of the Battle the Bulge Historical Foundation. In addition, Gerry helped establish the Battle of the Bulge Museum at Fort Meade.
During his civilian life he worked as a construction estimator and project manager for multiple projects throughout the Baltimore Washington Corridor. He enjoyed fishing (a lot) and enjoyed a wide circle of devoted family and friends from around the globe. Richard shared a wide smile and welcoming handshake for all and anyone fortunate enough to know him and we will all miss him. He is predeceased by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Augustine S. Guenter and brother Earnest Guenter and sisters, Claire Mitch and Emily Schaefer, all of Butler, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Lillian S. Guenter and their five children: Lynn A. Steele of Bloxom Va., Gail L. Guenter of Annapolis, Md., Richard Guenter Jr. of Brooklyn Park, Md., Charles A. Guenter of Sharpsburg, Md., and Claire E. Kwiatkowski of Westminster, Md. He also has six grandchildren, Rowan Job, Steven Guenter, Matthew Guenter, Sarah Kwiatkowski, Amanda Kwiatkowski, and Emma Kwiatkowski. His sister, Lillian Croop and his brother, Clifford Guenter from Butler, New Jersey, also survived Richard.