Mercade A. (Mac) Cramer, Jr.
Mercade A. (Mac) Cramer, Jr. died peacefully on January 5, 2021, in Annapolis, MD, at the age of 88.
Mac is survived by his wife Nancy (Caldwell) Cramer of Annapolis, MD, his children Gay Van Pelt (Jim) of Lake Elmo, MN, Cathy Cramer of Dublin, OH, and Scott Cramer (Wendy) of Idaho Falls, ID, his brother Jim Cramer of Anaheim, CA, and his stepchildren Meredith (Mimi) McCollum (Gary) of King George, VA, Robin Wilson (Chuck) of Amissville, VA, and Robert (Bobby) Cooke (Karen Johnson) of Boise, ID. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Mac is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Spaulding Cramer of Wallingford, PA.
Mac was born on March 24, 1932, in Charleston, SC to Mercade and Catherine (McTeer) Cramer. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1953 and was very proud of being a member of the Navy basketball team. After graduation, Mac served for 8 years in the U.S. Air Force, during which time he received a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He retired as a Captain.
Mac’s professional life continued his service to his country in the private sector. He retired as CEO of Vitro Corporation of Silver Spring, MD in 1993. Prior to joining Vitro, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Optical Group of the Perkin Elmer Corporation in Danbury, CT, responsible for the company’s Government business. Prior to joining Perkin Elmer, he was employed by the General Electric Company in King of Prussia, PA for 23 years, holding a series of executive management positions in Advanced Space Programs, Military Programs, and Military and Data Systems Operations.
His distinguished career was matched by his substantial contributions to the military and the nation’s defense in his community activities. Mac served as Vice Chairman of the Naval Research Advisory Committee, as a trustee of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and a life member of the U.S. Navy League. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Security Affairs Support Association (SASA), and member of the Board of Directors of the Defense Intelligence College Foundation (DICF). He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA), and a member of the Board of the National Security Industrial Association (NSIA). He was Chairman of the United Way annual campaigns in N. Fairfield, CT and Montgomery County, MD, and Chairman of the fundraising drive for the University of Maryland Education Center.
Montgomery County awarded him its “Spirit of Free Enterprise” award in 1993. He received the Air Force Award for Significant Achievement in 1977, and the Department of the Navy Meritorious Award for Public Service in 1996.
Mac and his family lived in Wallingford, PA and spent their summers in South Hero, VT where he enjoyed boating, refinishing antiques, and hosting family visits. He and Nancy spent their time together in Annapolis, Charleston, SC, and North Hero, VT. Mac was the patriarch of a large, blended family, of which he was very proud.
Post COVID, memorial services will be held at the United States Naval Academy, where Mac will be inurned at their Columbarium. Condolences can be sent to the Hardesty Funeral Home website (hardestyfuneralhome. com).