Forrest Carlton Titcomb

Forrest was a freshman in high school in December of 1941. Receiving his parent’s permission to leave school to join the Navy, he entered boot camp in March of 1943. He served three years, being involved at various times with radio, radar and sonar. He also was given the nickname of “Pete” while in the Navy, which he kept as his primary name for more than 40 years.

Once discharged, Pete finished his junior and senior years of high school, worked a variety of jobs, and applied to the University of Vermont, majoring in electrical engineering.

In his senior year at UVM, he asked Marion Willis, “a pretty good girl” (and the Dean’s secretary!) to be his date on the senior boat trip, as well as for other class celebrations, before graduating in 1951 with an electrical engineering degree.

His experiences with radar in the Navy brought him to the attention of a recruiting agent from Washington, DC, and he accepted a position at the Naval Research Laboratory. Pete would remain with NRL for the next 37 years.

Pete and Marion were married in 1952, moved to District Heights, MD, and settled in to raise a family. During this time, they also joined the congregation of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, which became a large part of their lives, their social interactions, and their family. Pete served as Junior and Senior Wardens for a number of years. Marion taught Sunday School and volunteered for many years in the church’s program working with elderly folks from the area.

In addition to church and a full-time job, Pete was involved with the District Heights Volunteer Fire Department for many years as an EMT and serving as Rescue Squad captain for some of those.

After enjoying 43 wonderful years in District Heights, and many wonderful relationships with friends and neighbors, Pete and Marion moved to Columbia, MD, to begin a new chapter in their lives, meeting other friends and neighbors, creating new relationships, and joining the congregation at Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia. Pete also left his nickname behind, adopting Forrest once more.

He was a thinker, a doer, a teacher, an inventor, a camper, a first responder, a worker, an example. He was organized, systematic, and thorough.

He helped many people in many ways, quietly, with no fanfare or celebration, and often behind the scenes. He loved and enjoyed his family, his friends, and his neighbors. He kept up with the doings of the world, he kept his faith, and he lived his life to reflect that faith.

His was a life of service to others.

He lived it well.

He was the Beloved husband, father, neighbor & friend. Pre-deceased by Marion Titcomb, his wife of 66 years, he is survived by his children Tim Titcomb (Leanne), Jennifer Strasel (Erik), Suzanne Henig (Robert), his grandchildren Emily Chase (Derek), Kevin, Andy, and Zach Strasel, Sam Henig (Kelly Slaght), and friends and neighbors, old and new.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on September 24, 2023 at 2pm, at 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD, or online at www.christchurchcolumbia.org. Reception immediately following at the church. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Titcomb family.