OBITUARY: BARBARA BOWEN (MacHAMER) STRICKLIN (4 NOV 2025)

Barbara M. Stricklin, lifetime resident of Baltimore and long-time teacher and educator at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (BPI), passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, in Roland Park.

Born in Baltimore on December 29, 1934, Barbara was the first of five children of Harry A. ("Mose") MacHamer, graduate of the Poly Class of 1924 and long-time teacher and coach at McDonogh School, and Florence Patricia (O'Connell) MacHamer. Barb grew up in the family home on Belvedere Avenue and Falls Road overlooking Mount Washington and the Jones Falls, graduating from the Western High School's competitive "A Course" in 1952, and then from Goucher College in 1955 with a degree in chemistry. Her joyful summers were spent with the family and campers on the shores of New York's Lake Champlain above Plattsburgh at Camps Red Wing and Red Cloud. With her father as the head of the sailing department, Barb learned to love nature and water sports of all types in those formative years. Excelling in many sports and crafts as a camper, she went on to be a cabin counselor to young campers and the primary operator of the camp's motor cruiser, the "Pilgrim."

Following her graduation from Goucher, Barb began her professional career as a chemistry teacher at Baltimore's Eastern High School.  In the early 1960s, she moved to Bernardsville, New Jersey where she continued to refine and enhance her skills as a teacher and mentor to her students while teaching at Bernards High School. During this period, she also began a life-long professional advancement program, taking graduate-level courses in both chemistry and educational administration at Johns Hopkins University and Towson State College, earning master's degrees in both disciplines over the course of her professional career and was a member of the Johns Hopkins Club.

She returned to Baltimore in time to participate in the transition of Baltimore Polytechnic from its former campus at North Avenue and Calvert Street to its new and current campus at Cold Spring Lane and Falls Road. Thus began a life-long dedication to working closely with students, faculty and staff to create and sustain a rich educational environment for continued growth, development and excellence. Throughout her tenure there, Barb served as a chemistry teacher, to include the advanced programs of Poly's "A Course," and later also assumed additional duties as the head of the school's science department, and then, as an assistant school principal. For each student and peer faculty member, Barb approached each day as a new and welcome opportunity to discover, learn, improve and do good work. She was an avid supporter of the school's many sports teams and extracurricular programs and enjoyed her associations with many of the various school alumni programs. The culmination of her professional career was her service as the 10th head of school at Poly as Interim Director in 1990-1991, the first woman to serve in that capacity.

In August 1969 she married Vernon F. Stricklin, Sr., a US Marine Corps veteran of the Pacific Theater in World War II and then a 39-year employee of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. He and Barb enjoyed boating and being on the water in their small cruiser exploring many inlets around Chesapeake Bay. They later transitioned from the boat to a small cabin along the north shore of the Magothy River near Gibson Island, where they spent much of their free time in later years together with family and friends.

Following her retirement from Poly in 1992, Barb joined the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Foundation, serving for many years in support of major school heritage and archiving projects and numerous alumni activities. One of her proudest accomplishments was her creation of the Poly Memorial Garden Project, honoring the distinguished military service of Poly graduates.

In 2014 Barb moved from the Riderwood area into the Village of Augsburg Senior Community, where she was an enthusiastic volunteer, including service the Editor of the Community Newsletter and supporter of numerous enrichment programs. In 2022, she moved back to Roland Park to Symphony Manor, where she spent happy times visited by family members and dear and treasured friends from both her summers at camp and from her Poly years.

Barb is survived by brothers Thomas J. (Nancy Taylor) MacHamer, Jeffrey S. (Lessandra) MacHamer, stepson Vernon F. (Patti) Stricklin, Jr., grandson Jared P. (Erin Bolduc) Stricklin, sister-in-law JoAnn MacHamer (widow of brother D. Terrence), by nieces Jennifer L. MacHamer, Diana M. (Trevor) Pound, Sara A. (John) Kroening, by nephews D. Slade (Mesha) MacHamer, Bradley B. (Maya) MacHamer, Brendan A. MacHamer, Grant A. (Tayler Mehit) MacHamer, and by two great-grandchildren and seven grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry A. and Florence Patricia MacHamer, husband Vernon F. Stricklin, Sr., stepson Stephen G. Stricklin, sister Carol H. MacHamer, and brother D. Terrence MacHamer.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Ruck Funeral Home at 1050 York Road, Towson, MD 21204 on Thursday, 18 December 2025 from 2 PM to 5 PM, with remarks and reflections to begin at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers we would ask that you consider a donation to the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Foundation and Alumni Association or to an educational institution or charity of choice.