Obituary of David Helm

David P. Helm, 68, of Freehold, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at home. Mr. Helm was born in Smithtown, N.Y. and was raised in Mineola, N.Y. before moving to Alexandria, Va., Burke Va., and Gainesville, Va. before settling in Freehold. Mr. Helm was a 1962 graduate of the Pratt Institute of Technology. He was an electrical engineer for the United States Federal Government at Vint Hill Farms Station in Warrenton, Va. and Fort Monmouth for 45 years, retiring in 2003. During his tenure, he published over 30 articles and earned multiple patents. David had a love for the railroad; he was a model railroad enthusiast, who was invited to compete for a prestigious chance to design a European Mass Transit system. He was a former soccer coach and referee in Virginia. He was also a member of IEEE, U.S. Soccer Federation, and ScaleFour Society. David is survived by his wife, Madelon Helm of Freehold; three daughters, Amy Helm and her partner, Stacie Bradfield of Leesburg, Va., Annette Helm and her husband, Allen Davis of Tappahannock, Va. and Allison Merker and her husband, Donnie of Carteret; three grandchildren, Katlyn, Dominic and Damien; and two sisters, Maryland Willner of Greenwood Lake, N.Y. and Janice Colvin of Cranston, R.I. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township. Relative and friends are invited to attend his funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Pinelawn Memorial Park & Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. For those who desire, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Helm may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, P.O. Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724 and would be appreciated. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.