Dr. William H. Adolph DC

Dr. William Howard Adolph, Chiropractor for 50 years and World War II veteran, died on the evening of March 27 at home surround by his family. He was 92. The son of the late Gladys Keen and William Taylor Adolph, Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Baltimore, MD. Bill graduated from Towson High School in 1937. He attended college on a football and academic scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Maryland College in 1941. His dedication to the college continued long after his graduation; Bill served two terms as President of the Alumni Association, was an Alumni visitor to the Board of Directors, the Alumnus of the year in 1973, and received the Meritorious Service Award from the Alumni Association. In recent years, Bill organized a group of WM alum for a monthly luncheon. After completion of ROTC in college, Bill was proudly commissioned into the U.S. Army Infantry and served 30 months as an Infantry Line Officer in the European Theatre of WWII, from 1942 – 1945. During his time overseas, Bill was stationed in the North African Campaign and was commissioned to the French Foreign Legion. Discharged as a Major after the war, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze star, and several battle stars for his service in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. From 1946 – 1972, Bill served in various assignments as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He commanded the largest Reserve Unit in Maryland, 2122D USAG, from 1967 – 1972. Prior to retiring in 1972 as a Colonel, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit. Following the war, Bill married his college sweetheart, Margaret “Mickey” Reynolds Adolph, to whom he was married for 68 years. Bill and Mickey moved to Davenport Iowa while Bill attended the Palmer College of Chiropractic. He completed his studies at the Columbia College of Chiropractic in Baltimore, MD, where he graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1949 and began his practice, which he maintained in Baltimore for 50 years. Bill was a Faculty member of the Columbia College of Chiropractic Department of Physiology from 1950-1954. He later became the Dean of the College. He served two terms as the President of the MD Chiropractic Association, was Vice President of the MD State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and Chiropractic Consultant to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MD. He was named Chiropractor of the year in 1979 by the MD Chiropractic Association, and was a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractics. He was a member of the MD Chiropractic Association and the American Chiropractic Association. Throughout his 50 years of practice on Liberty RD in Baltimore, he maintained a heartfelt family atmosphere; he would open his doors at any time of the night or day to anyone in need. The success of his practice was based on his generosity, providing care and treatment for anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Bill was a good old fashioned “Country Doctor.” As a man of faith, he served his church, Mt Olive United Methodist, as the Adult Sunday School teacher for 10 years and in other leadership capacities. Bill`s greatest joy was his family. He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. When not busy with work or family, Bill was an enthusiastic Orioles and Ravens fan. He loved to play golf and was an avid collector of shoes and watches. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Wednesday, April 9 at 11 am with a brief visitation from 10 – 11 at Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, 5115 Old Court Rd, Randallstown, MD. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. He is preceded in death by his parents and 10 younger siblings. Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret Reynolds Adolph, children Lorna Adolph, Brent Toomey, and Scott Adolph, daughter-in-law Gina Adolph, granddaughter Lauren Herring and husband Stan Herring, granddaughter Caitlin Adolph, and great-grandchildren Connor, Chloe, and Cameron Herring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (Wounded Warrior Project PO BOX 758517 Topeka, KS 66675) or to Gilchrist Hospice Care (11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350 Hunt Valley, MD 21031).

Dr. William H. Adolph DC

May 7, 1921 - March 27, 2014