LCDR Harvey Sydney Henning Jr. (USN, Ret.), 91, of California, MD died October 13, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 20, 1925 in Mansfield, LA to the late Harvey S. Henning Sr. and Margaret Clarke Henning.

Harvey proudly served in the United States Navy from 1943 to his retirement as a Lieutenant Commander in 1967. He began his undergraduate engineering program at Louisiana State University and Tulane, graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1949. He flew some of the first jets from aircraft carriers during the Korean conflict.

After his first wife, Rebecca, died suddenly in 1956, he chose to raise his son and stayed stateside, foregoing reaching flag rank. He earned his Master's Degree in Nuclear Physics from the University of Pennsylvania and became a top Pentagon intelligence expert on the Soviet space program, ending his Naval career at NSA in Fort Meade. As the civilian Project Manager on the High Energy Laser (HEL) Project for the Naval Ordnance Lab, he helped initiate the beginning of missile defense, leading to the end of the Cold War.

On June 20, 1959, while stationed at Point Mugu, CA, Harvey married his beloved wife, then-LT (JG) Merilyn F. Henning (née Gemme) in Pasadena, CA. His hobbies included reading science fiction, woodworking, wine making, and working with computers.

In addition to his beloved wife, Merilyn, he is also survived by his children, Harvey S. Henning III (Teresa) of Huntsville, AL, Eric Britt Henning of Laurel, MD, and Charon E. Henning (Lexie) of Gainesville, FL; his grandson, Ian Miller Mitchell Henning of Laurel Maryland; and many extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his first wife, Rebecca Haile; sister, Margaret Clarke "Peggy" Myers; and daughter-in-law, Betsy Mitchell Henning.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated by Reverend John Ball on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 11:00 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 47477 Trinity Church Road, St. Mary's City, MD. A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. George's Episcopal Church, 7010 Glenn Dale Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Hospice of St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, and Trinity Episcopal Church's Parish Hall Fund, P.O. Box 207, St. Mary's City, MD 20686. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.