Charles ''Bill'' A. Duerbeck Jr.

Charles A. "Bill" Duerbeck Jr., age 82, of Joppa, MD passed away on October 5, 2014 at his home. Born in Baltimore, he is the son of the late Charles Anthony Duerbeck Sr. and Alice Eleanore Faid Duerbeck. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a Technical Director at WMAR TV.

When Bill was 14 years old, he joined the Boys Scouts of America and earned 33 merit badges. He earned the Eagle Scout Award (1st one in Harford County) at age 16 and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a staff member at Broad Creek Boy Scout Camp in 1949. He served 10 years in the military and went to school on the GI Bill.

Bill started flying in 1949 and earned his instructors rating in 1971. He taught flying at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Baltimore Airpark and Martin State Airports. He was also a Commercial Pilot including a single engine Seaplane Rating. Bill also held an Instrument Rating and a Multi-engine Rating. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was still an avid Flight Instructor.
Bill was hired at WBAL-TV as a summer relief person in 1963 for 6 months and was hired permanently at WMAR-TV in the same year. While at WMAR, he performed many behind the scenes technical jobs including operating the television field cameras for events around Baltimore such as Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Cathedral, Orioles baseball and Baltimore Colts Football games at Memorial Stadium, Clippers and Bullets games at the Civic Center and horseracing at Pimlico Race Track. One of his most memorable assignments was as television cameraman at President Kennedy's Funeral in Washington, DC. He enjoyed that job and loved working at WMAR-TV for 35 years.

Outside of work, Bill was a 32nd. Degree Mason KCCH, a member of The Scottish Rite, Boumi Temple and The Tall Cedars. He belonged to two Blue Lodges – Washington Lodge #3 and Jephthah Lodge #222. He was the lodge historian for Washington Lodge #3. He was an amateur photographer and enjoyed putting pictures on DVDS for everyone.

Mr. Duerbeck is survived by his wife, Mary "Bernie" G. Duerbeck, daughters, Michele L. McConaughy of Kingsville, Denise E. Hodge of Cape Coral, FL. and Deborah A. Parr of Keedysville; brother, Warren B. Duerbeck of Alexandria, VA; sister, Patricia J. Bedford of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Bethany, Abigail, Ben, Courtney, Brandon, Kimberly and Kelly; and great grandchild, Dax.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Scottish Rite, 3800 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Please note "In memory of Chuck Duerbeck" in the memo portion of the check.