Harry Randall Munson Orefield, Pennsylvania Obituary

Harry Randall Munson

<p>Harry Randall Munson, Jr., Ph.D.</p><p>September 2, 1934-August 16, 2022</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. Harry Randall Munson, Jr. (Randall), passed away Tuesday, August 16, at the age of 87. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1934 and grew up in Maryland. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Randall served as a Chemical Lab Specialist (E-4) at the U.S. Army’s Walter Reed Medical Center. Upon his honorable discharge in 1964, Randall embarked upon a chemistry career, which would influence much of his life and his personality. He earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from Georgetown University (graduating as a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu honor society and the Sigma Xi International Science Honor Society) and in 1970 started his professional career in Richmond, Va., as a medicinal chemist with A.H. Robins Co., which he fondly remembered and where he developed lifelong professional and personal friendships. He continued to work in the pharmaceutical industry until his retirement from Sanofi Aventis in 2014.</p><p>Randall was a consummate scientist. He combined his love of learning, keen observation skills and passion for sharing his knowledge with others in everything he did. Whether it was raising a family, coaching youth baseball and football, mentoring young scientists, or discussing academics with his grandchildren, Randall took seriously his role as a leader and an educator. Most people knew Randall as a man of few words, but for those in whom he took a special interest (and there were many) he would often quietly take them aside to share his wisdom and encouragement. He was always eager to collaborate with others in the lab or on projects. </p><p>In addition to his love of science and learning, Randall was passionate about sports. Playing, watching, listening—he loved it all. From using his earnings as a paper boy to treat his father to Washington football games at Griffith Stadium, listening to the Washington Senators baseball team on the radio, playing youth baseball in the district championship, spending a weekend with friends at NCAA Tournament games or learning about his grandchildren’s sports interests, his love of sports and sports statistics never diminished.</p><p>For many years, Randall was a coach for Tuckahoe Little League baseball in Richmond. Upon winning the league championship with the Cardinals in 1973, he combined his passions for baseball and chemistry to compose a review of the season in the form of a drug synthesis reaction summary that he shared with his players. It read, in part, “A mixture of 15 young athletes was saturated with ca. 73 + practices for a period of 2.5-3 hr. each under many atmospheric conditions at various temperatures until red and white streaks were obtained on the bases.” He cherished his memories of all his teams, nicknaming his players, and enjoyed the comradery of the parents and other coaches.</p><p>Randall Munson could tell a story. He did not simply recite a series of events but engaged the listener in a way that brought them into the story and left them sometimes in awe and amazement and other times in stitches. For him it was an art form, and one he practiced often with his family, friends or in the lab with colleagues. </p><p>Randall is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dian Lee (Kenlan) Munson, three daughters, Laura Lohmeyer (John), Pamela Egner (John), and Karen Arrighi (Mike), two stepsons, Todd Reilly (Christine) and Kevin Reilly (Shyla), eight grandchildren (Ava and Elyse Lohmeyer, Elizabeth and Matthew Egner, Caroline and Emma Reilly, Christopher and Kelly Reilly), and a sister, Elizabeth Merrill. Randall also leaves behind a multitude of baseball players and scientists whom he mentored, 25 drug patents, 50-plus scientific articles, and a gaping hole in the hearts of all who knew him.</p><p>A gathering for all who knew and appreciated Randall will be held in Richmond (in November-details to be determined). To honor Randall’s legacy, you might consider any or all of the following (presented in no particular order):</p><p>● Make a donation to Morningstar Living, who provided such good care to Randall and support to Dian: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/morningstar-senior-living-foundation</p><p>● Volunteer as a coach or a mentor, giving of yourself solely for the betterment of others with no expectation of anything in return.</p><p>● Raise a glass of craft beer (or two) in Randall’s honor. One of his secret pleasures was to stop by the store and come home with a mixed case or two of craft beers (he did this long before it became hip).</p>
September 2, 1934 - August 16, 202209/02/193408/16/2022
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Obituary

Harry Randall Munson, Jr., Ph.D.

September 2, 1934-August 16, 2022


Dr. Harry Randall Munson, Jr. (Randall), passed away Tuesday, August 16, at the age of 87. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1934 and grew up in Maryland. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Randall served as a Chemical Lab Specialist (E-4) at the U.S. Army’s Walter Reed Medical Center. Upon his honorable discharge in 1964, Randall embarked upon a chemistry career, which would influence much of his life and his personality. He earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from Georgetown University (graduating as a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu honor society and the Sigma Xi International Science Honor Society) and in 1970 started his professional career in Richmond, Va., as a medicinal chemist with A.H. Robins Co., which he fondly remembered and where he developed lifelong professional and personal friendships. He continued to work in the pharmaceutical industry until his retirement from Sanofi Aventis in 2014.

Randall was a consummate scientist. He combined his love of learning, keen observation skills and passion for sharing his knowledge with others in everything he did. Whether it was raising a family, coaching youth baseball and football, mentoring young scientists, or discussing academics with his grandchildren, Randall took seriously his role as a leader and an educator. Most people knew Randall as a man of few words, but for those in whom he took a special interest (and there were many) he would often quietly take them aside to share his wisdom and encouragement. He was always eager to collaborate with others in the lab or on projects.

In addition to his love of science and learning, Randall was passionate about sports. Playing, watching, listening—he loved it all. From using his earnings as a paper boy to treat his father to Washington football games at Griffith Stadium, listening to the Washington Senators baseball team on the radio, playing youth baseball in the district championship, spending a weekend with friends at NCAA Tournament games or learning about his grandchildren’s sports interests, his love of sports and sports statistics never diminished.

For many years, Randall was a coach for Tuckahoe Little League baseball in Richmond. Upon winning the league championship with the Cardinals in 1973, he combined his passions for baseball and chemistry to compose a review of the season in the form of a drug synthesis reaction summary that he shared with his players. It read, in part, “A mixture of 15 young athletes was saturated with ca. 73 + practices for a period of 2.5-3 hr. each under many atmospheric conditions at various temperatures until red and white streaks were obtained on the bases.” He cherished his memories of all his teams, nicknaming his players, and enjoyed the comradery of the parents and other coaches.

Randall Munson could tell a story. He did not simply recite a series of events but engaged the listener in a way that brought them into the story and left them sometimes in awe and amazement and other times in stitches. For him it was an art form, and one he practiced often with his family, friends or in the lab with colleagues.

Randall is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dian Lee (Kenlan) Munson, three daughters, Laura Lohmeyer (John), Pamela Egner (John), and Karen Arrighi (Mike), two stepsons, Todd Reilly (Christine) and Kevin Reilly (Shyla), eight grandchildren (Ava and Elyse Lohmeyer, Elizabeth and Matthew Egner, Caroline and Emma Reilly, Christopher and Kelly Reilly), and a sister, Elizabeth Merrill. Randall also leaves behind a multitude of baseball players and scientists whom he mentored, 25 drug patents, 50-plus scientific articles, and a gaping hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

A gathering for all who knew and appreciated Randall will be held in Richmond (in November-details to be determined). To honor Randall’s legacy, you might consider any or all of the following (presented in no particular order):

● Make a donation to Morningstar Living, who provided such good care to Randall and support to Dian: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/morningstar-senior-living-foundation

● Volunteer as a coach or a mentor, giving of yourself solely for the betterment of others with no expectation of anything in return.

● Raise a glass of craft beer (or two) in Randall’s honor. One of his secret pleasures was to stop by the store and come home with a mixed case or two of craft beers (he did this long before it became hip).

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