Franz Dorsey Berlin, 68, a resident of Severna Park for 27 years, died Nov. 8 of complications due to diabetes at the Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Mr. Berlin was born Dec. 8, 1939 in Sedalia, Mo. He attended several universities throughout the world to study engineering.

Mr. Berlin joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and spent 20 years with Army Intelligence and NSA. During his years of service, he was assigned to several Cold War postings in Africa and Europe.

He was a member of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club, and was active in the Boy Scouts of America leadership.

Upon retiring form the military he moved his family to San Jose, California to work as a mission planner and controller with the Space Program before moving back to Maryland to work as a contractor at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on the Hubble Space Telescope, the Space Shuttle and Space Lab projects. He retired in 2000.

His interests included science, technology and space exploration and frequently lectured on the topics to high schools throughout the country.

His hobbies included relaxing in Antigua, reading science fiction, Model Railroading, Travel, spending time with his family, NASCAR, and watching Sunday football.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Peggy Berlin.

Survivors include; one son, Heath Berlin of Annapolis; one daughter, Heather Mamalis of Millersville, and two granddaughters, of Millersville; two brothers Bob Berlin of Sedalia, Mo. and Ken Berlin of Anchorage, Ala.; one sister, Marty Osredker, also of Anchorage; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Barranco Funeral Home, Wednesday Nov. 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday Nov. 13 at 12 p.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Berlin Nursing Scholarship, C/O State Fair Community College, 3201 West 16th, Sedalia, MO 65301.

"As published in The Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, MD on Nov. 11, 2008."