Harold E. "Hank" Muma, a retired Towson University professor and accomplished watercolor artist, died July 2 of respiratory failure at Oak Crest Village in Parkville. He was 94.
The son of Harold E. Muma, a developer, and Elsie Virginia Muma, a homemaker, Harold Ellsworth Muma was born in Baton Rouge, La., and moved with his family to Cumberland, where he attended Allegany High School.
He left high school during World War II to enlist in the Coast Guard. He later earned his General Education Development certificate and obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Mr. Muma taught for a year at Georgetown University Medical School, then for two years at Gettysburg College. In 1956, he joined the faculty of what is now Towson University and taught human anatomy and physiology. He retired in 1984.
He had served as president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the state chapter of the American Association of University Professors. He also had been president of Towson's faculty association and a member of its faculty senate.
The longtime resident of Aigburth Road in Towson was an accomplished watercolorist who was a member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society. He served as its president for two years and was a board member for 13 years.
He was a member of the Art Gallery of Fells Point, where he served on the board for 15 years and earned a number of awards for his paintings.
Mr. Muma, a resident of Oak Crest Village since January, was particularly known for his watercolors of Chesapeake Bay maritime scenes, bridges and landscapes, family members said.
An avid sailor, he continued to race small boats into his 80s and was the founder of the Red Cross Sailing School located at the Inner Harbor for a decade.
Services are private.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Nancy Fike; a son, Paul S. Muma of Ellicott City; a daughter, Nancy A. Muma of Lawrence, Kan.; and five grandchildren.
— Frederick N. Rasmussen