Richard Davies "Dick" deBronkart, 83, of Severna Park, died of congestive heart failure on June 15 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Mr. deBronkart was born March 27, 1922 in Chicago, to Eugene H. and Elinor Davies deBronkart. He grew up in Rye, NY and attended Ohio Wesleyan University. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945, earning the rank of sergeant. Stationed in Italy, he worked as an aircraft mechanic servicing B-24 "Liberator" bombers, which performed the decisive bombing of Hitler's oil refineries, hastening the end of World War II.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne McCulloh deBronkart; six children: Dave deBronkart of Minneapolis, Ken deBronkart of Mason OH, Amy deBronkart Kinder of Annapolis, Suede deBronkart of Wellfleet MA, Steve deBronkart of Severna Park, Gerry deBronkart of Edgewater; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Elinor Kaup, of Fort Myers, FL.

As a young man Mr. deBronkart worked as an executive in microfilm sales, and rose to the position of National Sales Manager for 3M Company's photo products division. More recently, he sold floating docks throughout the Chesapeake Bay area.

His hobbies included antique cars, boating, sailing, and wooden boats. He built Whiplash, a beautiful ultralight 18' ocean shell, which he loved to row. A favorite annual activity was the Christmas Eve row on Cattail Creek in Severna Park. He loved humor and jazz music, especially Dixieland.

A memorial service and celebration of Dick deBronkart's life will be held near his home in July.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ones favorite charity.