Merrill S. Hohman

Merrill Sylvester Hohman, a resident of Norwood since 1968, and formerly of New Hampshire and Vermont, died unexpectedly Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at the Norwood Hospital.  He was 77.  Mel was born January 30, 1934 in Abington, Massachusetts, a son of Joseph Charles and Bertha E. (Hatch) Hohman.  He grew up in Abington and graduated from Abington High School before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, and two Master’s Degrees from Harvard University.  Merrill served in the US Army from 1959 to 1962 and then worked at the Environmental Protection Agency where he retired after 32 years as the Director of Air and Hazardous Waste Division Region One.  He was a past president of the Norwood Lions Club and held several offices at the District level of the Lions Club International.  He was a mason for 48 years and a member of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood.  Mel was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Norwood where he had served as moderator, a deacon, and a member of the pastoral search committee.  He was also a member of the Conservation Committee of Norwood.  Merrill is survived by his wife, Barbara A. (Bickford) Hohman; his two daughters, Deborah L. Sales, and her husband Paul II, of Norwood, and Shirley A. Slutz, and her husband Donald, of Milford, Massachusetts; his sister-in-law Rosamond Hohman of Grafton, Massachusetts; and his nine grandchildren, Paul Sales III, Robert Sales, Christopher Sales, Brandon Slutz, Deborah Slutz, Sarah Slutz, Christian Slutz, David Slutz, and Jayden Slutz.  Mel was the brother of the late Roger D. Hohman.  Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, September 7th from 4 to 8 PM with a Masonic Service by Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood at 7 o clock at the May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mel’s funeral Thursday at 10 AM at the First Congregational Church, 100 Winter Street, Norwood followed by burial in Highland Cemetery in Norwood with military honors.  In lieu of flowers donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.