Oscar Wilder Underwood III died on June 22, 2017, in Winter Haven. He was 91. He died peacefully in his sleep of complications from Alzheimer's disease. Oscar was born in Washington, D.C. on December 14, 1925. He was the oldest of three children. Oscar attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. His family moved to Charlottesville, Va. when Oscar was 15 in 1940. At age 17, Oscar enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served at sea in the North Atlantic, and was commissioned shortly after the war ended. After his service in World War II, Oscar returned to Charlottesville to attend the University of Virginia, where he graduated with a degree in engineering in 1947. He returned to active duty during the Korean War. He served a total of approximately six years in the Navy. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Oscar returned to Charlottesville to begin a life-long career in construction and engineering. He married the former Margaret Hench of Charlottesville in 1953. They had two children, Ellen and Margy. In 1962, Oscar and his young family moved to Merritt Island, Fla. Oscar worked as an engineer in connection with National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA projects on Cape Canaveral. Four years later, he and his family moved to Winter Haven in 1966, in connection with foundation construction in the phosphate industry, where he would spend the remainder of his career. Oscar and Margy lived in Winter Haven for 51 years. Oscar was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served for several terms on the vestry. He also served as a director and later president of the Episcopal-Catholic Apartments. He was a registered professional engineer and a member of the Florida Engineering Society, where he served as a director of the society. He was a member of the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club for many years, where he enjoyed playing tennis. Some of Oscar's lifetime loves were boating, fishing and the water. He built at least four wooden sailboats, with his final being a 25-foot gaff-rig yawl known as a Sea Bird. He enjoyed sailing on the Indian River Lagoon and in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. He also was an excellent fisherman. He is survived by two daughters, Ellen Underwood of Winter Haven and Margy Hodgson of Dunwoody, Ga.; son-in-law Keith Hodgson of Dunwoody, Ga.; a grandson, Charles Wilder Hodgson of Dunwoody; two sisters, Ellen Eckford of Charlottesville, Va. and Merrill Barringer of Hilton Head Island, SC; four nieces, a nephew, and great nieces and a great nephew. His loving wife Margy died four days after his death on June 26, 2017, as a result of a stroke. They were married 63 years. A memorial service will be held for both Oscar and Margy at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winter Haven on Friday, June 30 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. Memorials can be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 656 Avenue L NW, Winter Haven, Fla. 33881. Condolences to the family can be sent to www.oakridgefuneralcare.com .
Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL) - Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Contributor: Gregory Pickel (50233049)