E. Austin Carlin

E. Austin Carlin, a resident of Kensington, Maryland, passed away on April  20, 2021, at the age of 104. Son of Earle Sylvester Carlin and Eva Marie Carlin. Predeceased by sisters, Bernadine Freitag, Eleanor Simpson and Anne Alcorn.

Austin, a native Washingtonian, graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Class of 1932. He attended Southeastern University (George Washington) where he obtained his undergraduate and law degrees. Shortly after being admitted to the District of Columbia and Maryland Bars, Austin opened his law office in Bethesda where he practiced law for over 50 years specializing in real estate, estate and trust and business law. Over the course of his career Austin served as a member of the Board of Directors of many local banks and savings and loan associations, including Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan, Liberty Savings and Loan Association, Farmers Banking and Trust Company and the National Bank of Maryland. Austin’s public service included membership in the Sovereign Order of Malta, Bethesda Chevy Chase Lions Club, Lions International and the Knights of Columbus, Rock Creek Council.

Close to Austin’s heart was his involvement as a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, serving as its President in 1960-61, on numerous bar committees, as a Bar Leader and a Fellow of the Montgomery County Bar Foundation. Austin cherished the friendship of the many attorneys and judges he met through the Maryland Bar, many of whom became lifelong friends.

In addition to Austin’s legal career he was an active participant in commercial real estate development. Anticipating the burgeoning growth in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the early 1960’s, Austin, along with Dermott A. Nee co-founded Danac Real Estate Investment Corporation. Danac, with its traditional maple leaf logo, transformed much of upper Montgomery County, particularly Gaithersburg, developing shopping centers, industrial and office properties and various residential communities. Notable projects included Gaithersburg Square, Quince Orchard Shopping Plaza, Diamond Farms and the headquarters of the Joseph R. Harris Company along Route 270.  While serving as Chairman of Danac, Austin was instrumental in transforming the company from a privately held investment company to it being publicly traded on the NASDAQ. Danac’s continued growth in the 70’s and 80’s eventually led to it being acquired by the Richmond Corporation.

Austin was part of the Greatest Generation, having served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Assigned to the Intelligence Unit, Austin was primarily responsible for briefing the pilots in the Bomber Command on their strategic missions. Austin rose to the rank of Captain prior to the War’s end.

Most who knew Austin knew he was deeply committed to his Roman Catholic faith. He attended daily mass almost his entire life. His day often started by attending 8am mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church before heading to his law office a short distance away. Austin relied deeply on his faith to guide him through his daily life, particularly following the unexpected passing of his dear wife, Helen Gallagher. Helen’s passing deeply affected Austin to whom he credited many of his accomplishments. Austin was fortunate to later marry Irene Geissenhainer, with whom he spent many happy years, often entertaining family and friends at their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Austin is survived by children, Maureen M. Carlin, Eugene A. Carlin, Jr. (Claire), Joan M. Cameron (Ron) and Carroll Brian Carlin (Susan), eight grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

Due to covid concerns funeral and burial will be private. A Celebration of Austin’s life for all his family and friends will be scheduled at a later date when public health conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Austin’s memory may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 7500 Pearl Street, Bethesda, Md 20814 or Montgomery County Bar Foundation, 27 W. Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850.

Please view and sign the family guest book at: www.colefuneral.com