D. Dwight Browning

D. Dwight Browning, 91, of Lancaster died peacefully Thursday December 20, 2012 after complications from heart surgery. Mr. Browning is survived by a daughter, Missy Hodapp of New Orleans, four sons: Daniel Dwight Browning, Jr., companion of Judy Robinson, of Lancaster; Paul McKnight Browning, companion of Judith Rineer, of Lancaster; David Maddox Browning, husband of Nancy Lax Browning, of Lunenberg, MA; Thomas Edward Hodapp, husband of Suzann Redding, of Sausalito, CA; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Nancy Carlson; his first wife, Harriet McKnight; and a sister, Lorraine Seargeant. Mr. Browning, a native of New Albany, MS, was the son of the late James Virgil and Eppie Maddox Browning. He attended grade and high school in Memphis, TN, and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mississippi College. He worked briefly for DuPont before enrolling in University of Pittsburgh’s graduate school. In graduate school, he was elected to membership in Phi Lambda Upsilon, an honorary chemical fraternity. When his graduate studies were interrupted by WWII, Mr. Browning received a direct commission as Ensign in the Navy, and served as Radar Officer on the USS Riverside (APA 102) mainly in the Pacific Theater. He remained in the Active Naval Reserve after the war, serving at one time as the commanding officer of Naval Surface Division 4-19 based at the former training center at East Orange and Parkside Streets. He retired from the Navy in 1981 with the Rank of Commander. After the war, Mr. Browning became associated with the then Armstrong Cork Company, first for several years at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in Pittsburgh, then at the company’s laboratories in Lancaster. He held a variety of management positions with the company in Research and in Information Technology, retiring in 1986 as Vice President and Director of Research and Development. He was a member of the American Chemical Society. After his retirement, Mr. Browning founded Science Management Services, a small laboratory specializing in testing for radon, the first firm in Lancaster County to offer such service. He served as president (and chief technician) of the company for six years. In his earlier years, Mr. Browning was active in a number of community services. He participated in several groups of the United Way, served on the board of The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was a member of the Lancaster City School Board (serving as President in 1966), and was the Board’s representative to the Lancaster Recreation Commission. Mr. Browning was an active golfer and squash player, and enjoyed spectator sports. He also enjoyed cards and was one of a group of friends who played small-stakes poker every other week for more than 60 years. He was a member of the Tucquan Club, Hamilton Club, Lancaster Country Club, Lancaster Rotary Club and Lancaster Pirates. A Memorial Service will be held for Mr. Browning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2013 at The Groffs Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange Street (at the corner of Orange & Pine Streets), Lancaster, with the Rev. Eugene Hostetter officiating. The family will greet friends at The Groffs from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lancaster Day Care Center, 150 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, or to the Fulton Opera House, 12 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.

D. Dwight Browning

December 21, 2012