Otto Homberg

Mr. Otto Albert Homberg passed away June 24, 2010 at Chesapeake Woods Center
located in Cambridge, MD after a lengthy illness.

Born January 10, 1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Martha and Otto Homberg, who came to the United States in the 1920's from Wuppertal, Germany. He grew up working in his parents' grocery stores while also focusing on his studies. He knew from a young age he always wanted to be a chemist. He graduated in February 1948 from the Brooklyn Technical High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in June of 1952. He would go on to serve in the United States Army and after returning from Korea in the spring of 1955, he would marry the former Jane W. Grissinger that following September. They would remain married until Jane's death in October of 1997.

After a Bermuda honeymoon, Jane and Otto moved to College Park, MD where Otto attended the University of Maryland and completed work on a Master's degree in the summer of 1957. He and Jane would also welcome into their union twin daughters Carol Ann and Martha Sue while attending the university. It should be noted that he was proud to be a father and would help with nighttime feedings in spite of working and attending school. He would always remain close with his daughters who were with him until the time of his death.

After receiving his masters' degree, the family would move to Cincinnati, OH where Otto spent two years at National Distillers and Chemical Corporation before relocating to Carlyle Chemical Works. While working at Carlyle, Otto attended the University of Cincinnati on a part-time basis. He would eventually attend the university on a full-time basis and would go on to receive his doctorate in Chemistry in June of 1965.

In the summer of 1965, the family would return east to reside in Easton, PA where Otto had taken a job with GAF Corporation. He later left that position to join the Homer Research Laboratories of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Where he would remain until his retirement in 1983. Otto's years in research produced nine technical papers and twenty-three patents, five of which had some commercial value.

In the spring of 1988, Otto and Jane would move to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and reside with Jane's aunt and uncle, Jesse and Guy Warner. After the Warners' deaths in 1992 and 1995 respectively, the Warner home, Indian Purchase Farm located in Dorchester County, would remain the family home to this day. The family would also be fortunate to receive a summer home on Cape Cod that has been in the Warner Family for over 100 years. It brought great sadness to Otto that Jane's untimely death in 1997 gave her little time to enjoy both properties.

Otto loved sitting on his back porch, watching the water and his backyard and the variety of wildlife the Eastern Shore has to offer. He enjoyed reading a good mystery novel and listening to Dixieland Jazz. Most of all, he loved to cook and bake. Sharing a good meal and a good drink gave him a great deal of pleasure.

Otto is survived by his twin daughters Carol Homberg and Martha Homberg who now reside on Indian Purchase farm, as well as four grandcats. His daughters would like to publicly thank the nursing staff at Dorchester General Hospital for the care they gave their father during his various stays as well as the nursing staff at Chesapeake Woods for the care attention they gave him until and after the time of his death. They would also like to thank all his friends and neighbors as well as close friends Judy Bakun, Wendy Hoffman, Patty Grillo, and second mom, Betty Shoemaker whose love and support has helped them get through this difficult time.

He will be greatly missed.

As per his request, there will not be a formal funeral or memorial service, but rather a celebration of his life at Indian Purchase Farm to be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made in Mr. Homberg’s memory to the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation, PO Box 439, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Kitty City Rescue, PO Box 1259, Cambridge, MD 21613.

Cremation was entrusted to Mid Shore Cremation Center, Cambridge, MD.