William Humphrey Plath
August 5, 1954 ~ May 5, 2013
Services:
A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Patuxent Presbyterian Church California, MD with Rev. Mike Jones officiating. Interment will be private.
William (Bill) H. Plath, 58, of California, MD formerly from Quincy, IL passed on May 5, 2013 in California, MD. Born on August 5, 1954 in Quincy, IL, he was the son of the late Emil and Letha Plath. William was the loving husband of Christine Plath whom he married in St. Raphael Church on April 12, 1980. William is survived by his children; Laura Plath of Catonsville, MD and Drew Plath of California, MD. William graduated from Quincy High School in 1972, and attended University of Illinois graduating in 1976 with a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. William moved from St. Louis, MO to St. Mary’s County in 1996 and worked as an Engineer for Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park, MD. A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Patuxent Presbyterian Church California, MD with Rev. Mike Jones officiating. Interment will be private. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association 415 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 and or American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312.
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“To the Plath family – I am so sorry for the loss of your dear William. Even though we have never met, like you, I haev experienced the pain that death can bring. One thing that has truly brought me comfort is the promise from our Grand Creator that he will one day soon do away with death forever. Rev.21:4 says: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” This is something we all long for. Also, the promise that we will be reunited with our dear loved ones right here on a restored paradise earth. (John 5:28,29) God always fulfills his promises. (Numbers 23:19) My deepest sympathy.”
“Chris-We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful person. I ran into him often at the Range during his mission support as a lead engineer. He was always so happy, and so very proud of his family. May you find peace in knowing that he lived his life with great pride and a feeling of great comfort for the people that surrounded him.”
“My deepest sympathies…. may your wonderful memories carry you through this difficult time. The Paynes”
“To the Plath family—I am very sorry for your loss. May your wonderful & funny memories of your Dad carry, and comfort you thru this most difficult time.”
“We pray for the repose of Bill’s soul, and for his family, that God will grant you healing and peace in this time of grief and loss.”
“Chris and family, When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. I am always here for you if you need me. God Bless”
“We are all the poorer for the loss of Bill from this earthly realm. His heart was a big as his laugh. He was always able and willing to make time to help a friend. Each of us can benefit greatly from trying to adopt some of Bill’s attitude towards life. He was a very good man — taken from amongst us far too soon.”
“To the Plath family – I had the pleasure of working with Bill through the E/F EMD test effort. Bill always had a positive outlook and worked hard for the success of the team. I am very sorry for your loss.”
“My condolences to Chris and family. A good engineer and friend has departed, but he’ll remain a devoted husband and father to his family forever. His insight, whether technical or towards everyday life, was always good to hear, and sprinkle with a little humor, too. “
“To the Plath family – my deepest condolences for the loss of Bill. I had the honor of working with Bill on F/A-18A-F flight test programs for many years as a military and Boeing test pilot. His techinical expertise was outstanding. I could always count on Bill to provide me essential safety of flight information during the planning and briefing process for a critical test flight. The decisions I made in the cockpit about set-up and recovery from flight test maneuvers were routinely based on analysis Bill provided to me. I knew I ccould trust that information was accurate if Bill provided it. Bill was extremely dedicated. I witnessed Bill working extended hours on many occasions in order to accomplish our mission. I never heard a single complaint about it from him. I honestly think he took such pride in his work that he recieved satisfaction from the success of the team, knowing that his efforts contributed greatly to the outcome. Bill was one of the happiest people I’ve ever met! No matter how difficult the situation, I always remember Bill smiling or seeing the light side of things. He was a great man and a great American! Farewell Bill Plath. The flight test community is sad to see you go too soon. He will be missed. May his loved ones find comfort in this time of sorrow. “
“To the Plath Family- I am so sorry for your loss. May the many memories you have help comfort you during this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers”
“Chris, Drew and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this heartbreaking time. Our deepest sympathies. Bill was always such a warm and caring person who constantly contributed his time and energy in helping others. He will truly be missed.”
“Chris, Laura and Drew, I am crying with you. Bill was a big man with a big presence and a big heart. I will miss you brother. God’s peace, Cal Metz”
“To the loving family of Bill Plath. Bill worked with me for many years, traveled with me, played golf with me and I never tired of his wonderful humor and kindness toward everyone. He had a knack at helping us at Boeing solve our technical problems. His wonderful stories from his childhood and hunting expeditions. I had the the pleasure of knowing Bill and I will never forget him. My heart is heavy but his wit after a golf game is classic: How did you shoot today Bill, I would ask? I had a five he might reply. Yes, I only lost five balls today. MAY GOD BLESS BILL’S FAMILY in their time of loss! My deepest sympathy to each of his family’s members!”
“We are sorry for your loss. We send our sincerest condolences and our prayers at this difficult time. “
“Chris and family–Thinking of you in this time of loss and sending strength and comfort your way.”
“To the Plath family: your loss is also our loss; Bill was a great friend in so many ways. He always went out of his way to help, provide advice, pepper us with technical tidbits, or just relate a funny anecdote. Jake, my son, loved talking with him and sharing stories at the range, and Bill was always there to provide advice and encouragement; never talking down to him, always treating him as an equal, and, just as importantly, listening as much as talking. He had a positive impact on all of us, young and old, and he will be greatly missed. “
“To the Plath family, My deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“Chris, I’m so sorry to hear that Bill has left us so soon. Because I’ve moved I haven’t spoken with Bill for years but I still think of him often when relating stories of past flight tests and our barter system for venison and fish. Bill had a positive impact on my life, his memories will stay with me always. “
“Chris and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I pray for your comfort and know your strength and family love will carry you through to the time when happy memories can lessen your feelings of sorrow and loss. “
“Chris, Laura, & Drew: My deepest sympathies to all of you and all Bill’s family and friends. He was a valued member of the Flight Dynamics branch and brought a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience to the job. We will remember him as a warm and caring person as well as a great engineer whose contributions to Naval aviation will long outlive him. He will be missed. “
“I met Mr. Plath through SMC Elite basketball and he did so much for the program. He was a great man and my condolences are with Drew and the rest of his family. I feel blessed to have known him and give my thoughts to the family during this difficult time.”
“Chris, Laura and Drew our deepest sympathy is with you all during this difficult time. Bill had a kind heart and I am glad we got the opportunity to know him. We will pray for your continued strength. Mrs. Evans, Moe, Raquel,and Ramon Stone. “
“I worked with Bill in St. Louis, back when he moonlighted as a bouncer and when he dominated the tennis courts. He was a gentle giant and a good friend. I was saddened to learn of his passing.”
“Bill and I grew up in Quincy IL and went to Berrian School, Quincy Junior and Senior High together. He lived a block away from us. We hung around a lot. My brother Jeff and Bill went to the Indy 500 a few times and Jeff was also in Bill’s wedding.Bill was a GREAT guy and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. “