Donald Francis Wierda, 87

ROCK HALL, Md. - Donald Francis Wierda, of Rock Hall, died at his home on the Chesapeake Bay on Thursday, March 20, 2008. He was 87.

He grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he sang on the radio as a young man.

Donald was a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during his service in World War II.

Following the war, Donald began his professional career in commercial shipping with United States Lines. After serving in a variety of positions in Europe, he was appointed executive vice president at their headquarters in New York City.

After leaving United States Lines, Donald became president of United States Navigation.

He was an avid sailor and served as Commodore of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club.

Upon his retirement in 1983, Donald and his wife, Elly, moved to Rock Hall, where he embarked upon a second career teaching business administration at Washington College in Chestertown.

He was chairman of the board of the Chester River Hospital, and served on the boards of Chester River Hospice, Kent County Library, SCORE and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Elly Klein Bog; his son, Andrew and daughter-in-law, Zsuzsa, and their children, Nicholas and Emma, of West Orange, N.J.; and his daughter, Marcia, and son-in-law, Phillip Halpern, and their children, Griffin, Moose and Gator, of San Diego. His eldest son, Brian, died in 1991.

A gathering of friends and family will be held in the Atrium of the Science Center of Washington College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661.