William C. Branche, Jr. PhD

Dr. William Charles Branche, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on September 5th, 1934 to William C. Branche, Sr. and Frances S. Hill. He was a product of Washington, D.C. public schools, and in 1952 graduated from Dunbar High School. He entered Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, and received his B.S. degree in biology with honors in 1956. In 1960, he married Eloise Marie Jackson; they celebrated their 51st anniversary last year. They have three beautiful, loving childrenDr. Dr. Christine M. Branche (Joseph James, Jr.), the late Captain Michael C. Branche (USAF), and Lt. Colonel Marc C. Branche (USAF) (Kimberly). Bill and Eloise moved from Washington, D.C. to their home in Bowie, Maryland in 1970, where they remained for 41 years until their recent move to the Collington Life Care Community in Mitchellville, Maryland. In 1970, Bill joined St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland where he served as a lay reader, and for a time, on the Vestry. Dr. Branche earned his Masters degree in bacteriology from George Washington University, and then began his career at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1958 as a virologist in the Department of Bacterial Diseases. While there, Bill earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from The Catholic University of America. At Walter Reed, Bill became Chief of the Gastroenteritic Study Section, and then Chief of the Neisseria meningitidis Serology Section. He eventually was promoted to Chief of the Infectious Disease Service Laboratory. Four years later, allergies forced him from the laboratory work he loved, and he moved to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research headquarters as a health scientist administrator. During his 20 years at Walter Reed, he published many articles on Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Neiserria gonorrhoeae, and meningococcal infections. He joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1978 as a Scientific Review Administrator for the Bacteriology and Mycology 2 Study Section from its inception. Beyond his study section work, Dr. Branche will be remembered for his countless contributions to the NIH Extramural Associates (EA) Program which encourages women's colleges and institutions with predominantly underrepresented minority student enrollments to increase their participation in NIH-funded research. He served on the EA Advisory Board for a number of years and, eventually, became its Chairman. He conceived a development and training grant program to help institutions targeted by the EA program, and voluntarily managed the ad hoc committee that reviewed applications. In addition, Bill mentored and lectured faculty members and administrators who participated in the EA Residency Program at NIH and in related conferences and workshops. Bill retired from NIH in 2000 after 42 years of federal service. Dr. Branche was also an active member of the American Society for Microbiology, and for many years, served on many committees. His commitment to helping others also extended to his community. Bill coached girls soccer teams for the South Bowie Boys & Girls Club, judged local high school science fairs, officiated at swim meets, and served as the President of the Pointer Ridge Swim and Racquet Club in Bowie for 12 years. In addition, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of Queen Anne's School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for six years. Upon retirement from the NIH, Bill taught microbiology to nursing students at the Prince George's Community College. Some of Bill's greatest pleasures were spending time with his grandchildren, Cecilia and Christopher, and enjoying bird watching and nature. Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 14111 Oak Grove Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10am. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, MD. If desired, contributions may be made to Fisher House, Inc., 7323 Highway 90 West, San Antonio, TX 78227.