Howard W. "Bud" Kerr, Jr.

Howard W. "Bud" Kerr, Jr., at the age of 91 years, passed peacefully at his home on November 18, 2023 surrounded by his wife Carole (nee Saffran) of 62 years and two children, Howard Thomas Kerr (Diane) of Ellicott City, MD and Susan Kerr Schwob (Mike) of Arnold, MD. Kerr was born on April 20,1932 in Baltimore, MD to Howard and Georgia Kerr; sister Nan Mainhart.

As a boy, Bud enjoyed being outdoors walking fields for arrowheads, hunting, and fishing. He attended Catonsville High School and later Baltimore City College where he was a member of the football and baseball teams. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War and enjoyed his job as a dental assistant. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland (Alpha Gamma Rho) and Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from Clemson University. Bud and family returned from Clemson and settled in Bowie, MD while Bud enjoyed a meaningful career with the US Department of Agriculture until his retirement. Bud was a champion of small farmers serving as Director of USDA-Cooperative State Research Service's Office for Small Scale Agriculture; he served as key note speaker at various symposiums, and published many articles and a newsletter enjoyed by farmers across the country. Countryside & Small Stock Journal identified Bud as a "Maverick for small, local producers who remain the backbone of American agriculture." Bud practiced what he preached, maintaining he had "two sets of calluses.”

Bud along with his wife, Carole “a Baltimore City girl,” owned and operated Arrowhead Farm in Randallstown, MD, a family run pick and pay farm producing 14 varieties of peaches, cultivated blackberries, and acres of strawberries. Bud was happiest in the fields whether it be tending to his gardens at home in Bowie MD, hunting with his bird dogs, fishing a stream, or riding a tractor into the wee hours at Arrowhead Farm. It was said one could get full walking though his yard and sampling everything he so proudly grew. Bud enjoyed people and generously shared the bounty of his labors with others.

Bud loved the lord, his country, and family. He was a man of faith singing bass in church hymns providing the essential platform above which other voices could weave their harmonies. Like his deep bass voice, he was strong and steadfast and provided a solid foundation for his family and friends to grow and prosper. His presence in any setting was impactful.

Along with his wife and two children, Bud is survived by six grandchildren: Tyler Kerr and Jenna Kerr; William Schwob, Robert Schwob, Brian Schwob, and Michael Schwob. Bud was incredibly proud of his children and their families. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and "Pop Pop" enjoyed a special and close relationship with each one of them.

Family and friends may visit on Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Robert Evans Funeral Home in Bowie, MD (16000 Annapolis Rd, Bowie MD 20715). A private interment for family will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Lake View Memorial cemetery in Eldersburg, MD.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider a donation to the Amyloidosis Research Consortium https://donate.arci.org/give/177626/#!/donation/checkout

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