Gerald Adam Bange

Gerald "Jerry" Adam BANGE, age 77, of Davidsonville, Maryland passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Jerry was born November 19, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland to Geraldine and Adam Bange. Jerry was the beloved husband of 51 years to Faith Ann Dowdy Bange; dear son-in-law to Arnold L. Dowdy and the late Helen Kidwell; loving brother of Mark Adam Bange (Linda Lee); brother-in-law of George H. Mitchell (Pam), Perry Dowdy, Lee Dowdy, and John Dowdy (Reginia); cherished uncle of Amanda Lee Augsburger (Chris), Adam Andrew Bange (Michele), Stephanie M. Finefrock (Dave), Tyler H. Mitchell (Jessica), Camden W. Mitchell, Andrew L. Dowdy and Kailee Williams; great uncle of Lillian and Madeline Augsburger and Aidan and Samuel Bange

Jerry worked at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 43 years, which included 20 years as chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB). In that role, he oversaw USDA's monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, while also working through the digital revolution - transitioning the WAOB from paper reports to electronic copies and increasing the public's access to the department's information.

During his tenure as WAOB chair, Jerry was a two-time recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive. He also served as program chairperson for USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Jerry joined USDA in 1971 as an agricultural marketing specialist for the Agricultural Research Service. He quickly moved up in the department's leadership and in 1975, he moved over to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to serve as an agricultural economist. He later became director of the Foreign Production Estimates Division at FAS. In January 1983, he was appointed deputy assistant administrator for International Agricultural Statistics. A few months later, Jerry transferred to the World Agricultural

Outlook Board (WAOB) to serve as deputy chairperson.

He was an agricultural economics major at the University of Maryland and completed his PH.D. in 1975.

Starting in 2001 Jerry and Faith embarked into a new hobby – the love of Hemerocallis – in other words “DAYLILIES.” They spent the following 20 years involved in the hobby and producing an outstanding horticultural garden which highlighted this plant. Jerry also got involved in hybridizing new cultivars and registered several with the American Hemerocallis Society. They were also involved in the administrative end of the hobby with Jerry serving in several high-level positions including President of the National Capital Daylily Club for 7 years, Regional Popularity Poll Director and just recently he accepted the position of President of Region 3 which consists of overseeing 11 clubs in 6 states.

A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held in the Bange garden on June 25, 2022.

All are invited to come and experience the joy and love which he expressed by spending countless days and hours tending this beautiful space. Please let Faith ([email protected]) or Mark ([email protected]) know if you are interested in attending and a reminder notice will be sent right before the day.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to the American Red Cross PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839, The Salvation Army 814 Light Street, 1st Floor, PO BOX 6489, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 or a charity of your choice to help those less fortunate.

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