Maryland developer Mike Caruthers, who built thousands of apartments and millions of square feet of office space during his 47-year career, died Tuesday in his McLean, Virginia, home. He was 72.

Caruthers spent the last 26 years as president of The Somerset Cos., a Bethesda-based real estate development firm. Prior to that, he spent 21 years at Westchester Construction Co., the predecessor to Somerset.

The developments Caruthers worked on include Annapolis Junction Town Center, Arundel Mills Mall, Baltimore Crossroads @95 and Westchester Park. Somerset Cos. partnered with developers such as St. John Properties, Bozzuto Group and Southern Management.

"I've had the good fortune to have known Mike for many years as a business partner who became a friend," St. John Properties Chairman Edward St. John said in a release. "From day one, I knew he was a man of integrity with a strong business acumen."

Born in 1947 in Portsmouth, Virginia, Caruthers earned his bachelor's degree in economic geography from the University of Maryland in 1972. In addition to his work at Somerset, Caruthers was involved in several organizations, including the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the Baltimore County Police Foundation and the UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

"Mike was an extraordinary leader and dear friend," UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center President Karen Olscamp said. "He cared deeply for this community and his many contributions have had a profound and enduring impact on the Medical Center and the health of those we serve."

Caruthers is survived by his mother, Aurelia, his wife, Rosemary, their three children and six grandchildren. The family requests gifts in his memory be made to the Live The Life Foundation, 305 West Chesapeake Ave., Suite 503, Towson, MD 21204. A service will be held Sept. 14 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.