19401030 20080321 David Webb Herlocker

David W. Herlocker, 67, of Westminster

October 30, 1940 – March 21, 2008

As we prepare for this year’s Westminster Road Runners Club Main Street Mile, word spread quickly through the community that one of the patriarchs of the annual event - and the Westminster Road Runners Club, Dr. David Herlocker passed away last Friday, March 21, 2008.

This year’s race will run on Wednesday, April 16^th, 2008 and the race will hardly be the same without him.

Dave Herlocker was a well-respected scientist, McDaniel College professor, runner, community leader, fellow member of Grace Lutheran Church and a good friend… and his passing leaves us sad beyond words.

Please join us as we keep Dave’s many friends and family in our hearts and prayers…

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David Webb Herlocker, 67, of Westminster, died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Friday, March 21, 2008.

Born October 30, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, he is the son of Donald Herlocker and the late Betty Comfort Herlocker. He was raised in Peoria, Illinois.

He was a 1962 graduate of Knox College and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1966 with a doctorate in inorganic chemistry.

In 1966, he began a long career teaching chemistry at Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College. He served as the Chemistry Department chair department chair for many years. He retired in 2006 and was named an emeritus faculty member. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Chemical Society, and other professional organizations.

He began running in the mid 1970s and was a member of the Westminster and York Road Runner Clubs. He was an organizer of many road races in and around Westminster, including the Main Street Mile. After an accident in 1995 left him unable to run, he continued to walk daily with friends. He was a recognizable figure at many races with his loyal canine companion, Badie.

He was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church and served on the church council and scholarship committee. He was active in Ardent Folk, a ministry providing meals to those in need.

He was a member of the parent organizing committee which founded the Westminster Montessori School in 1974. He helped to develop and implement the school’s chemistry curriculum. Since his retirement he has volunteered weekly in their science classes.

An avid sports fan, he followed the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and the McDaniel women’s basketball and volleyball teams. He was a 27-year member of a book club and a lover of history and trivia.

Remembering him are children and partners Caryn Herlocker Meade and Adam Meade of Raleigh, NC and Daniel Herlocker and Ellen Keelan of Brattleboro, VT; father Donald Herlocker of Canton, IL; brother and sister-in-law William and Hilda Herlocker of Kildeer, IL; sister and brother-in-law Linda and Peter Speck of Wanganui New Zealand; grandchildren Evan and Georgia Meade; former wife and friend Helen Herlocker; and numerous friends.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St, Westminster with his pastors Rev. Kevin and Martha Clementson officiating.

Inurnment of ashes will be in Grace Lutheran Church Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church in support of the Ardent Folk social ministry.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fletcherfuneralhome.net.

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