Obituary for Joel Leonard Caves
Dr. Joel Leonard Caves, 81, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his residence in The Highlands at Wyomissing. He was the loving husband of Shirley (Verdehem) Caves, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.
Born in Auburn, NY, he was the son of James and Marjory (Bullock) Caves. Joel graduated from Phelps Central School in 1958 before going on to receive his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Cornell University, Master's of Science in Hydraulic Engineering from University of Michigan, and PhD in Hydraulic Engineering from Lehigh University. He also served as a member of the US Army Medical Service Corps, spending four years in ROTC, four years in Reserves, and two in Active Duty.
Joel worked as a Hydraulic Engineer for Gilbert Associates Inc. in Reading before becoming a Senior Hydraulic Engineer at his own firm until 2000. He went on to work as a Senior Engineer for Parsons Energy & Chemicals, and then for Spotts, Stevens & McCoy until his retirement in 2016.
Joel was active with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 46 and served on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts Hawk Mountain Council. He was on the Board of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and served as the President of the Reading Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Later in life, Dr. Caves earned his sea captain's license and took joy in sailing with friends and family. His favorite pastimes included woodworking, and playing basketball, football, and tennis.
In addition to his wife, Joel is survived by his sister, Nancy Caves (partner Woody Travis), his daughters, Jennifer Gerhart (spouse Loren Gerhart) and Rebecca Cinelli (fiance Douglas Geiger), and his grandchildren: Ryan Paris (spouse Dana Paris), Alex Paris (fiance Kayla Schneider), Nathan Cinelli, and Peter Cinelli.
Joel was predeceased by his brother, James Caves.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Christ Episcopal Church, located at 435 Court Street, Reading, PA.
Please Note: The church entrance is on Court Street. There will be parking available in the Abraham Lincoln Hotel parking garage or M&T Bank, both located on Washington Street near the corner of North 5th Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hawk Mountain Boy Scouts.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Auburn, NY, he was the son of James and Marjory (Bullock) Caves. Joel graduated from Phelps Central School in 1958 before going on to receive his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Cornell University, Master's of Science in Hydraulic Engineering from University of Michigan, and PhD in Hydraulic Engineering from Lehigh University. He also served as a member of the US Army Medical Service Corps, spending four years in ROTC, four years in Reserves, and two in Active Duty.
Joel worked as a Hydraulic Engineer for Gilbert Associates Inc. in Reading before becoming a Senior Hydraulic Engineer at his own firm until 2000. He went on to work as a Senior Engineer for Parsons Energy & Chemicals, and then for Spotts, Stevens & McCoy until his retirement in 2016.
Joel was active with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 46 and served on the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts Hawk Mountain Council. He was on the Board of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and served as the President of the Reading Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Later in life, Dr. Caves earned his sea captain's license and took joy in sailing with friends and family. His favorite pastimes included woodworking, and playing basketball, football, and tennis.
In addition to his wife, Joel is survived by his sister, Nancy Caves (partner Woody Travis), his daughters, Jennifer Gerhart (spouse Loren Gerhart) and Rebecca Cinelli (fiance Douglas Geiger), and his grandchildren: Ryan Paris (spouse Dana Paris), Alex Paris (fiance Kayla Schneider), Nathan Cinelli, and Peter Cinelli.
Joel was predeceased by his brother, James Caves.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Christ Episcopal Church, located at 435 Court Street, Reading, PA.
Please Note: The church entrance is on Court Street. There will be parking available in the Abraham Lincoln Hotel parking garage or M&T Bank, both located on Washington Street near the corner of North 5th Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hawk Mountain Boy Scouts.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading is in charge of arrangements.