Sylvester Adams
April 21, 1927 — August 26, 2024
Sylvester Ralph “Dutch” Adams
April 21, 1927 – August 26, 2024
S.R. “Dutch” Adams, 97, of Winfield, MD passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 26, 2024. Born April 21, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Ralph and Kate Martin Adams. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Burgess Adams, on June 8, 1950, at the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. They were married for over 55 years.
Dutch lived a full and adventurous life. He attended Anacostia High School, graduating in 1945, and participated in Boy Scouts, Aviation Club, and the Cadet Patrol. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the US Army Air Corps from 1945 to 1947. He was stationed in Panama, earning the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the American Theater Ribbon. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1952, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. For 25 years, Dutch worked as a civil servant for the Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency as Section Chief of the Soviet Warsaw Pact, Imagery Analysis Division. This position took him overseas including to Europe and Eastern Africa. He and Mary Ann resided in Washington, D.C., and Clinton, MD for many years raising a family before building their home in Sykesville, MD in 1988, to be closer to their grandchildren. Retirement was filled with travel around the country, including yearly visits to Lake Tansi, TN, and visiting every state in the US, except Hawaii. Dutch’s travels with his wife spanned across Europe including going to the Vatican, Austria, and the United Kingdom. He had a passion for aviation, including having his pilot license and logging hundreds of hours flying small aircraft. Dutch always had his camera or video recorder documenting his family life and travels. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
Dutch is survived by his son, Robert of Fort Collins, CO (Jan), sister-in-law, Helen Adams of Ocala, FL, eight grandchildren, Douglas, Thomas, Stuart, Genevieve (Bob), Robert Banks, Jennifer Butler, Laura Ross (Nancy) and Joseph Ignatius III (Linda), nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, C. Martin Adams, daughters, Nancy Holt and Linda Ignatius, son-in-law, Joe Ignatius, Jr., and grandson, Benjamin Ignatius.
Funeral Services will be held on September 7, 2024,11:00 AM at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4911 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, MD with Rev. Judith Emerson officiating and Rev. Gayle Annis-Forder assisting. Private interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD.
The family will receive friends from 5PM to 8 PM on September 6, 2024, at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 W. Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to BridgingLife of Carroll County.
Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com
April 21, 1927 – August 26, 2024
S.R. “Dutch” Adams, 97, of Winfield, MD passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 26, 2024. Born April 21, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Ralph and Kate Martin Adams. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Burgess Adams, on June 8, 1950, at the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. They were married for over 55 years.
Dutch lived a full and adventurous life. He attended Anacostia High School, graduating in 1945, and participated in Boy Scouts, Aviation Club, and the Cadet Patrol. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the US Army Air Corps from 1945 to 1947. He was stationed in Panama, earning the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the American Theater Ribbon. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1952, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. For 25 years, Dutch worked as a civil servant for the Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency as Section Chief of the Soviet Warsaw Pact, Imagery Analysis Division. This position took him overseas including to Europe and Eastern Africa. He and Mary Ann resided in Washington, D.C., and Clinton, MD for many years raising a family before building their home in Sykesville, MD in 1988, to be closer to their grandchildren. Retirement was filled with travel around the country, including yearly visits to Lake Tansi, TN, and visiting every state in the US, except Hawaii. Dutch’s travels with his wife spanned across Europe including going to the Vatican, Austria, and the United Kingdom. He had a passion for aviation, including having his pilot license and logging hundreds of hours flying small aircraft. Dutch always had his camera or video recorder documenting his family life and travels. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
Dutch is survived by his son, Robert of Fort Collins, CO (Jan), sister-in-law, Helen Adams of Ocala, FL, eight grandchildren, Douglas, Thomas, Stuart, Genevieve (Bob), Robert Banks, Jennifer Butler, Laura Ross (Nancy) and Joseph Ignatius III (Linda), nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, C. Martin Adams, daughters, Nancy Holt and Linda Ignatius, son-in-law, Joe Ignatius, Jr., and grandson, Benjamin Ignatius.
Funeral Services will be held on September 7, 2024,11:00 AM at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4911 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, MD with Rev. Judith Emerson officiating and Rev. Gayle Annis-Forder assisting. Private interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD.
The family will receive friends from 5PM to 8 PM on September 6, 2024, at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 W. Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to BridgingLife of Carroll County.
Online condolences at www.burrier-queen.com
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