Francis (Fritz) Walter Henry, Jr., 61, a Severna Park MD resident and beloved husband of Charlotte Henry, died on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at home. He was born on February 11, 1948 in Rome, NY, to Rose M. Henry and Francis W. Henry, Sr. (deceased).

Fritz attended the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Ceramics at Alfred University in Alfred, NY. In 1970, he was awarded the Raymond Q. Hitchcock Award for Undergraduate Research in 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering, graduating Cum Laude. He also completed over thirty graduate credit hours.

In June 1972, Fritz was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant, Air Defense Artillery. Serving at Fort Bliss, TX and other defensive missile bases in the NY-NJ area, he was assigned various duties, including Executing Officer of the Nike-Hercules Missile Battery, Launcher Platoon Leader and Pay Officer. Fritz attained the rank of First Lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1974.

Fritz was employed with General Refractories Research Center from 1974 to 1989 where he supervised a group of technicians performing extensive testing of refractory brick and monoliths and developing binder systems for the monoliths. He was promoted several times - attaining the level of Product Development Engineer and Research Associate. Fritz developed several new products for steel mill and foundry applications and helped troubleshoot several production and application-related problems. He received the W.S. Treffner Award from the General Refractories Company in 1981.

Employed with Martin-Marietta from March 1989-April 2001, Fritz designed many highly technical ceramic products used in critical areas in steel making and power plant operations. These valuable ceramic products are still in worldwide use today. He traveled to Europe and Japan to establish these critical products.

Fritz joined Minteq International, Inc. in 2001 as a Senior Research and Development Engineer in refractories and high temperature ceramic materials for various industrial applications. He was a lead researcher for Minteq on a project to develop new energy saving materials for the United States Department of Energy. Throughout his career in the refractory industry, Fritz was highly regarded as a leading researcher with 7 patents registered in the U.S. and 2 registered in the U.K.

Fritz and Charlotte were joined in marriage on July 13, 1987. Fritz was always a caring, loving and devoted father to his children Margaret Leslie Anne Henry, Charles Rocco Henry and stepdaughter, Christina M. Chase, all of MD.

In addition to his wife and children, Fritz is survived by his mother, Rose M. Henry of Syracuse, NY; three brothers, Eric Henry of Canastota, NY, David Henry (Cathy) of Clay, NY and Paul Henry (Sue) of Kyle, TX; son-in-law, Joshua Chase of MD; grandson, Jason Alexander Chase of MD; sister-in-law, Dale Cummings of MD; brother-in-law, Dr. Michael Lurakis (Patricia) of NJ and many other relatives, friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com