Richard Hood Harryman, a well-known regional artist, peacefully passed away Tuesday, November 4th 2014 at age 86 with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Betty Jean, daughters Deborah Rolig and Diane Gray, grandchildren Ashlee Halsell, Ryan Rolig, Tyler Rolig and great granddaughter Meela Jade Halsell. Surviving siblings are brother George Harryman Jr., sisters Margaret Prigel, Ethel Forlifer and Mary Anne VanVlaanderen. He is pre-deceased by his parents George and Elizabeth Harryman and his brother Douglas.


Richard, a native Marylander, grew up on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, graduated with a Fine Arts major and Commercial Art minor from The University of Maryland and worked as a professional artist most of his adult life. He was founder and first president of The Maryland College of Art and Design in Silver Spring, which later merged with Montgomery College.


Portraits by Harryman include three U.S. Senators, leaders in clergy, business and the military. In addition, he was an experienced illustrator, designer, writer, genre painter and lecturer.


Harryman was an enlisted U.S. Marine for two years prior to college, and an officer in the active U.S. Air Force Reserve and Maryland National Guard for six years after college. He worked as an illustrator, designer and writer in the aerospace industry, advertising and government, including a two-year stint with the Central Intelligence Agency. The majority of his years were spent working within his own organizations or totally on his own assisted by his wife.


His Memorial Service will begin at 1:30 on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, with a Memorial Gathering to follow from 2-3 pm.


In lieu of flowers his family would appreciate donations made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com