Anthony Joseph Begenwald, Sr.

Anthony J. “Tony” Begenwald, a 54 year resident of Bowie, died suddenly February 4, 2018 at his home.  He was 82. Tony was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA.  After graduating High School in 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Upon his release from active duty in 1956, he enrolled at Penn State University where he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.  He then joined Bendix Field Engineering Corp. where he became a pioneer in NASA’s Manned Space Flight Program by writing the Acquisition Aid Tech Manual for the Project Mercury Space Program.  He was the first Bendix employee to receive NASA’s Manned Space Flight Awareness Honoree award, received the Astronaut’s Silver Snoopy Award and many Bendix and NASA citations.  He retired from his post as Director of Administration in 1995. Tony was a member of the Free State Detachment of the Marine Corps League where he held numerous positions over the years.  He was most recently the Department Chaplain for the Department of Maryland level.  He played an integral role in the formation of the Marines Helping Marines Foundation.  He became responsible for the Free State’s activities that included visiting wounded Marines and FMF Corpsmen at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.  During his tenure, he made over 610 visits to Bethesda, has taken wounded Marines on trips such as golf tournaments, fishing trips and Orioles games.  He conducted monthly cookouts and Christmas dinners at the hospital. For his dedication to this program, he was selected as the MCL Free State Detachment Marine of the Year in 2005, the Dept. of MD MCL Marine of the Year in 2007, Free State Detachment 2009 Devil Dog of the Year, Joint Veteran Committee of Maryland Veteran of the Year 2012, Mid-East Division Marine of the Year 2014, and Chapel of the Four Chaplains Honoree.   For 54 years, he was widely known for his elaborate Christmas lights and was the recipient of numerous Bowie House Decorating awards.   Tony was a life-long Redskins fan and was an avid golfer and fisherman who shared his love of both with his grandsons.  He was most proud of his three grandsons who all became Eagle Scouts.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Carole Begenwald, who passed in February 2005.  He is survived by his children, Anthony J. Begenwald, Jr. of Augusta, ME and Lisa C. Westbrook of Bowie; his brothers Edwin Begenwald and Richard Begenwald of Pittsburgh, PA, and six grandchildren. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Marines Helping Marines at 6307 Grady’s Walk, Bowie, MD 20715.