Obituary for Theodore C. Engelhardt Jr.
Theodore C. Engelhardt Jr, 93, passed away in the early hours of July 20, 2020 in the care of the Highlands at Wyomissing.
Born in Allentown, Ted was a child of the late Teresa (O’Neill) and Theodore C. Engelhardt, Sr. and moved with his family to Reading in 1933. Following his graduation from Wyomissing High school in 1944, Ted enlisted in the army, attending both Virginia Military Academy and University of Maine as part of his training. Upon his discharge from the service in 1945, he enrolled in Lehigh University, earning a degree in Accounting.
Ted worked for the accounting firm of Peat Marwick in New York City for several years. While in New York he married Reading native Elizabeth (Eberl) Engelhardt in 1950. In 1951, Ted and Elizabeth relocated to Reading, where he took a position with the F.G. Hodges Bedding Company, ultimately becoming president of the company. After 30 years in that position, Ted became Treasurer of Reading Alloys for 12 years until he retired.
He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C.C., West Reading.
A man of many interests, Ted enjoyed classical music and jazz and was an accomplished trumpet player during his high school years, being a member of the band and jazz ensemble as well as “Hafer’s Happy Hollow Harmonizers” (also known as “The Victorians” depending upon where the band was playing.) For years Ted enjoyed playing tennis as well as bridge, plus salt and fresh water fishing. An avid reader of history, Ted focused in particular in his study of “The Great Game” - the political and diplomatic struggle between Britain and Russia in the nineteenth century over Central and South Asia. He also extensively studied the history of World War II as well as Soviet politics during the early part of the last century. He also suffered through many seasons following the Philadelphia A’s and Phillies, enjoying the successes occasionally provided by the Phillies.
Ted will be remembered by his children Brian (Suzanne Daly Engelhardt) of Reading, and Susan Engelhardt Irwin (James) of St. Michael’s, MD; his granddaughters: Elizabeth Engelhardt (David Camden) of Concord, NH; Emily Engelhardt (Matthew Thomas) of Sharpsburg; and Christine Engelhardt of Reading; and his great grandsons Ben Camden and Walter and Calvin Thomas. He loved his children enough to not only put them through college, but also to sit through a whole slew of piano recitals.
Predeceased his first wife, Elizabeth, to whom he was married for 26 years, Ted was also predeceased by his second wife, Frances (Seibert), to whom he was married and divorced, after which the two enjoyed a friendship for many years. Ted was also predeceased by his daughter, Julia McAfee, who is survived by her husband, Charles “Buster” McAfee, his sister, Teresa Ann (James) Kelly, and his nephew James Kelly, Jr, who is survived by Donna Kelly. He is also survived by his sister in law Louise (Eberl) McCutcheon of Warwick, NY, and nieces Carol Kelly of Washington, D.C., and Nancy Warner of Goshen, NY.
In lieu of flowers, Ted’s family encourages offerings in their father’s memory to be made to the Berks History Center, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on a date to be announced.
The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to assist with arrangements. Condolences, tributes, and fond memories may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Allentown, Ted was a child of the late Teresa (O’Neill) and Theodore C. Engelhardt, Sr. and moved with his family to Reading in 1933. Following his graduation from Wyomissing High school in 1944, Ted enlisted in the army, attending both Virginia Military Academy and University of Maine as part of his training. Upon his discharge from the service in 1945, he enrolled in Lehigh University, earning a degree in Accounting.
Ted worked for the accounting firm of Peat Marwick in New York City for several years. While in New York he married Reading native Elizabeth (Eberl) Engelhardt in 1950. In 1951, Ted and Elizabeth relocated to Reading, where he took a position with the F.G. Hodges Bedding Company, ultimately becoming president of the company. After 30 years in that position, Ted became Treasurer of Reading Alloys for 12 years until he retired.
He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart R.C.C., West Reading.
A man of many interests, Ted enjoyed classical music and jazz and was an accomplished trumpet player during his high school years, being a member of the band and jazz ensemble as well as “Hafer’s Happy Hollow Harmonizers” (also known as “The Victorians” depending upon where the band was playing.) For years Ted enjoyed playing tennis as well as bridge, plus salt and fresh water fishing. An avid reader of history, Ted focused in particular in his study of “The Great Game” - the political and diplomatic struggle between Britain and Russia in the nineteenth century over Central and South Asia. He also extensively studied the history of World War II as well as Soviet politics during the early part of the last century. He also suffered through many seasons following the Philadelphia A’s and Phillies, enjoying the successes occasionally provided by the Phillies.
Ted will be remembered by his children Brian (Suzanne Daly Engelhardt) of Reading, and Susan Engelhardt Irwin (James) of St. Michael’s, MD; his granddaughters: Elizabeth Engelhardt (David Camden) of Concord, NH; Emily Engelhardt (Matthew Thomas) of Sharpsburg; and Christine Engelhardt of Reading; and his great grandsons Ben Camden and Walter and Calvin Thomas. He loved his children enough to not only put them through college, but also to sit through a whole slew of piano recitals.
Predeceased his first wife, Elizabeth, to whom he was married for 26 years, Ted was also predeceased by his second wife, Frances (Seibert), to whom he was married and divorced, after which the two enjoyed a friendship for many years. Ted was also predeceased by his daughter, Julia McAfee, who is survived by her husband, Charles “Buster” McAfee, his sister, Teresa Ann (James) Kelly, and his nephew James Kelly, Jr, who is survived by Donna Kelly. He is also survived by his sister in law Louise (Eberl) McCutcheon of Warwick, NY, and nieces Carol Kelly of Washington, D.C., and Nancy Warner of Goshen, NY.
In lieu of flowers, Ted’s family encourages offerings in their father’s memory to be made to the Berks History Center, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on a date to be announced.
The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to assist with arrangements. Condolences, tributes, and fond memories may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.