Jerome "Jerry" Shuman, a structural engineer who designed several road bridges along Interstate 95 near Delaware, died Dec. 27 of complications from cancer and dementia at Gilchrist Hospice Center in Towson. He was 77 and lived in Pikesville.
Born in Baltimore, he grew up in the Pimlico area. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic High School and Forest Park High School, graduating in 1952. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years aboard the USS Wasp during the Korean conflict.
After being discharged from the Navy in 1956, Mr. Shuman attended the University of Maryland, College Park on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
He worked for several local engineering companies, including Wilson T. Ballard Co., one of the largest engineering firms in Maryland. He became a licensed professional engineer in 1966.
He went out on his own in 1972, establishing his own business specializing in structural engineering. He designed bridges, office buildings, schools, homes, churches, shopping centers and funeral homes, among other structures.
"He enjoyed drawing out the plans and then watching the building grow and knowing that he was responsible for it," said his wife, the former Marian Wolfe.
For 40 years, Mr. Shuman worked with his wife, who managed his engineering and construction office.
"We both enjoyed working together," she said. "Clients used to ask us, 'How could you work together?' We thought it was rather amusing because we didn't have any problems."
He and his wife had lived across the street from each other when they were children. They began dating after Mr. Shuman returned home from the Navy in 1956, and "we just knew from the first date that that was it," said his wife.
They married in 1957. "We had a beautiful marriage," she said.
Besides his commitment to his work and family, Mr. Shuman was a devoted grandfather to 4-year-old Ben, said his wife.
"He absolutely loved it," she said. "It was the highlight of his life."
He had been a longtime member of Beth Israel Congregation. He also was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a charter member of the Structural Engineering Institute of the ASCE.
He was an avid stamp hobbyist and collected bull figurines and paperweights.
Services were held Dec. 29 at Sol Levinson & Bros. in Pikesville.
Besides his wife of 53 years, he is survived by his son, Jeff of Owings Mills; daughter, Marla of Lutherville; grandson, Ben of Owings Mills; and a sister, Ricky Alexandros, of Los Angeles.