Ronald Owen Pennsyle

RONALD OWEN PENNSYLE, age 66, of Bel Air, MD, died on August 29, 2006 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Born in Louisville, KY, but grew up in Winston-Salem, NC, he was the son of the late Harrison and Margaret Scott Pennsyle.

He became a quadriplegic at 19 due to a bout of polio. His father died in the 1970’s. His mother was his primary caregiver for 41 years after he contracted polio. She died March 13, 2006.

Mr. Pennsyle graduated from N.C. State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics. He was a Harford County resident since 1964. He worked for the Defense Department for 31 years as a scientist and mathematician, where he was widely known for his work. Mr. Pennsyle’s special expertise was the development of simulations to describe the behavior of chemical and biological agents. After retiring, he worked for ten years for Optimetrics Inc., in Bel Air, doing the same work as he did for the Defense Department.

Mr. Pennsyle is survived by his wife, M. Susanne Pennsyle; two step-daughters, Lisa Burley and Karen Powell, both of Atlanta GA; and one step-grandchild, Nicholas Angle of Atlanta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 309, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.