Farnham, Valden
Valden F. Farnham, a retired Toledo civil engineer and surveyor who had major roles in the design and construction of the Toledo Airport, the Ohio Turnpike, and interstate highways, died January 17, 2021, at home in Columbus, where he had lived since 2009. He will be remembered as a prolific storyteller, caring father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and devoted husband to his wife of 71 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was deployed with the 258th Combat Engineer Battalion to Central Europe, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine River south of Wesel, Germany, and ultimately earning two bronze stars. He married Margaret (Marge) Oram on June 28, 1947, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo in 1948. Farnham worked as a surveyor and design engineer on the Ohio Turnpike, before joining the engi
neering firm responsible
for the design of the Toledo Express Airport. In 1958, he and colleague John Wirries established Farnham, Wirries, and Berning Civil Engineers and Surveyors,
specializing in all fields of
surveying and land development. They designed many subdivisions in the Toledo area and Southeast Michigan, and in the 1960s
his firm became involved
in the development of man-made lakes, including Apple Valley in Central Ohio. In retirement, Farnham became interested in genealogy and spent three years researching his family history. An exhaustive search with his son culminated in a 400-page Farnham history dating to pre-1600. In 2009, he completed and published his memoir, Just A While Ago. An avid and skillful bridge player, he enjoyed weekly games at the Gahanna Senior Center. He also was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Columbus. His wife preceded him in death in 2018. He is survived by his children, Garald (Nancy) of New York City, Valerie (Tom) Wilkinson of Westerville, Bruce (Dianna) of Weld, Maine, Mark (Lisa) of Charleston, South Carolina, and Margaret (Maureen Callahan) of Columbus; nine grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made in his name to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1555 S. James Road, Columbus. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of his life will be held later. Arrangements completed by EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 East Broad Street. Visit www. egan-ryan.com to offer condolences and view the full obituary.