Obituaries

He opened a dental practice in Kensington in the mid-1950s. When that office was damaged by fire, he started his Bethesda practice in the mid-1960s. Dr. Kirkpatrick retired in 1984 after a debilitating stroke.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, moved from Bethesda to Hilton Head in 1992. She died in 2004.

In addition to his son, of Dickerson, survivors include four daughters, Susan K. Burch of Lawrenceville, Ga., Mary Beth Diehl of Winter Springs, Fla., Clare K. Ashby of Bluffton, S.C., and Judy Kirkpatrick of Cincinnati; and eight grandchildren.

Steven Joseph OffenbacherSoftware Systems Engineer

Steven Joseph Offenbacher, 45, a software systems engineer who for the past year worked for Northrop Grumman at its offices in Linthicum, died Jan. 1 at Howard County General Hospital after a heart attack.

Before joining Northrop Grumman, Mr. Offenbacher worked at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory for about five years.

Mr. Offenbacher, who lived in Ellicott City, was born in Washington and raised in Camp Springs. He was a graduate of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville and the University of Maryland.

In 1999, he received a master's degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University.

Over the years, Mr. Offenbacher participated in church choirs, most recently in the Alleluias Choir at Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City.

He also enjoyed home improvement projects, classic car restoration, music and various activities of his children, including scouting and sports.

Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Laura Offenbacher, and their four children: Kaili, Tyler, Daniel and Susannah Offenbacher, all of Ellicott City; his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Offenbacher of Mt. Airy; and a sister, Kathryn Grace Offenbacher of Ellicott City.

Vincent Joseph KlausArmy Colonel, Financial Officer

Vincent Joseph Klaus, 81, a retired Army colonel and chief financial officer for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, died Jan. 1 from injuries sustained in a fall at his home in Arlington.

Col. Klaus was born in Chicago and joined the Army during World War II, serving in the hospital corps. After the war, he graduated from the University of Minnesota and then was recalled to service. He served in Korea and Vietnam as a comptroller. He received a master's degree in business administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1958 and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1961. He retired from active duty in 1980. Among his awards was the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.