Paul T. Boltz, a proud member of the greatest generation, passed peacefully on September 2, 2012 at home in La Plata, MD surrounded by family. He was 92.

Born in North Wales, PA, he grew up in Allentown, PA where he learned fast, demonstrating each day the love of country, ethics and working class values prevailing throughout the Lehigh Valley: values that saw him through the Great Depression, World War Two, and beyond.

He served in the Navy during World War Two, later transferring his military skills to the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC until his retirement 38 years later. There, he principally worked to further cutting edge defense and space research, which contributed greatly to the development of satellite, manned spacecraft, ballistics, special materials and protective armor programs for the Navy, Army and NASA. He was cited as co-inventor of the first hypervelocity gun and test range at the lab.

He enjoyed his retirement years, traveling the country in his recreation vehicle; building model train railroads; calling square dancing; and filling the lives of his six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren with wisdom, laughter and stories of his journey through America's most turbulent and wonderful history.

He is preceded in death by his first of wife of fifty-two years, Betty Boltz. And he is also survived by his wife of nineteen years, Frances Boltz. He is survived by children: Nancy, Heather, Glenn and Kim.

Friends are invited to visit and celebrate his life on Thursday, September 13 from 9:30-11:30 at La Plata's First Baptist Church, with memorial services beginning at 11:30. Burial is at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital.

Arrangements provided by the Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, PA La Plata, Md.