Donald Richard Garvick, age 85, of Silver Spring, Maryland passed away on Tuesday January 31st, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born August 2, 1937 in Hanover, Pennsylvania to the late Wilmer and Ruth Garvick.
Don did most of his growing up at the 8 Rod Stock Farm, a 500 acre dairy farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island at which his father was a herdsman. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bradford-Durfee College of Technology in Fall River, Massachusetts. He married Marie Reever in 1960 and they moved to the Washington DC area. Don continued his education with post graduate work at the University of Maryland and took a job at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in White Oak, Maryland where he worked for 43 years, ultimately becoming the Division Head of Weapons Design.
Don loved Lionel Trains, antique oil lamps, coins, playing the guitar, dancing with his wife, bodysurfing at the beach, baseball, and traveling wherever a cruise ship could take them. He was an avid gardener, tended to his landscaping with precision, and adored decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marie Garvick along with their three daughters & sons-in-law, Salinda & Paul Messenger, Debbie & Mark Allison, and Diane & D.J. Pelton. Don also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Carolyn Messenger-Bernabe, Michael Messenger, David Messenger, Patricia Messenger, Laura Messenger, Rhiannon Pelton, & Cody Pelton as well as two great-grandchildren, Rosalina & Ginger Bernabe.
Along with his parents, Don is preceded in death by his siblings Gary and Betty.
A visitation for Donald will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. Where a funeral service will take place Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. There will be a catered reception following the service Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Garvick family.