Preston Moltz - Obituary

t is with great sadness that we announce that Preston Harper Moltz, 75, a 56-year resident of Edgewater, MD, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2023, with his wife and daughters at his side. Preston was born in Hyattsville, MD to the late Michael and Carrie Moltz. Preston was a retired newspaper pressman, a career that initially started while he was still in high school working the night shift. As a teenager, he met and fell in love with his wife of 53 years, Linda. He enlisted into the US Army after high school and after returning from one year of service in Vietnam, married Linda on December 20, 1969. After serving our country, he went on to work the night shift for multiple newspapers before landing at The Baltimore Sun where he worked for over 15 years before retiring in 2011. Retirement brought him great joy as he was able to spend more time with his grandchildren and take lunch or dinner to his wife when she worked. Preston was the ultimate family man; there was nothing more important to him than his wife and daughters, Shannon and Kristy—that is until his grandchildren were born. Not only did he coach his daughters’ softball teams when they were growing up, but he also coached his oldest granddaughter’s team while she was young. He was a tall man who would appear intimidating due to his stature until you knew him and got to see his soft and gentle side. He was kind, loving, and patient and treated everyone like they were part of his family. Preston enjoyed spending time with his family, coaching and watching softball games, and playing cards at the casino. He was immensely proud of his daughters and grandchildren and loved to watch the kids playing the sports that they each loved so much. Preston was the “baby” of his family being the youngest of 13 children; in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 5 brothers; Joe, Mikey, Monty, Colin, and Bobby, and 5 sisters; Lorraine Wuerschmidt, Dorothy Jackson, Mernie Brezina, Betty Smandra, and Carolyn Kettner. He is survived by his loving wife Linda Moltz; two daughters, Shannon (Wilson) Ford and Kristy (Steve) Phipps, both of Edgewater MD; one brother, Eddie Moltz of Myrtle Beach, SC; one sister, Beverly Kahl of Beltsville, MD his sister-in-law, Rita Marks of Arnold, MD and brother-in-law, Tony (Carol) Zancan of Columbia, MD. He was the best Pop-Pop to his grandchildren, Laney and Trevor Phipps, and Jake, Chris, Braeden, and Avery Ford. Preston is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. Family and friends are invited to A Celebration of Life for Preston on October 29, 2023, at the Selby Community Center, 3715 1st Avenue, Edgewater MD 21037 from 2 pm – 5 pm. Online condolences and tributes may be made by using the memories tab on the left.