Theodore "Ted" K. Phelps

Theodore K. "Ted " Phelps, 97, died at his Parkville, MD home in the Erickson Oak Crest Retirement Community on February 17, 2016 surrounded by immediate family. Born in Ann Arbor, MI on March 10, 1918, he was the son of Benjamin Rice Phelps and Bertha King Phelps. His teen years in Michigan and New York City birthed his lifespan passion for amateur "ham" radio, electronics and global communications. Prior to WWII, he was a radiotelegraph officer on merchant marine vessels and a commercial cruise line that sailed the Great Lakes. On the SS Alabama he met Josephine C. Milewski whom he married in 1942, the same year he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps. His WWII active duty took him overseas to Okinawa and Korea. He received his college education from the University of Michigan, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1955.


For 38 years he was a telephone systems engineer for Western Electric Company, retiring in Columbus, Ohio in 1984 after assignments in Chicago, Newark, NJ and a passionate quest in the 1950's to promote an engineer's labor union. His golden years were ones of vibrant domestic and world travel with his wife, newsletter writing and editing (the Society of Wireless Pioneers' World Wireless Beacon), and keeping alive the comradeship of amateur radio enthusiasts. At Oak Crest in Parkville, he enjoyed the company of the Unitarian-Universalist Conversation Group, lead the Amateur Radio Club and contributed maritime and army stories to the senior community's monthly magazine. He was known for his ever-present, toothy smile and cheerful whistling walking through the hallways there. By his family, he was celebrated for his compassion and concern for humankind, wisdom and lively story-telling, and loving, supportive companionship.


Theodore's beloved wife Josephine death, passed away on May 15, 2016. Together they are survived by son James Kendall Phelps of Charlotte, NC, and daughters Mary Jo P. Metz of Wilmington, DE and Elaine K. Nieberding of Bel Air, MD. They are also survived by grandchildren Cheryl Metz Simpson, Gwen Metz Fillmore, Lauren Robinson Phelps, James Bitler Phelps, Karl Christopher Nieberding and great-grandchildren Cole Simpson, Drew Simpson and Francesca Fillmore. An immediate family private service was held for Theodore on Friday, February 19 in the Rosehill facility at McComas Funeral Home, Bel Air. A joint memorial service and interment of remains for the couple is being held Saturday, July 9, 2016, 11:30 am at Grandview Memorial Park in Annville, PA.

Condolences may be sent to 2031 McKinley Court, Bel Air, MD 21015 - Elaine Nieberding/Reiking@aol.com. Honor donations may be sent to Gilchrist Hospice, 11311 McCormick Rd., Ste. 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.