Obituary for William Joseph Vojtasek
William Joseph Vojtasek, 79, of Wyomissing, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022, surrounded by family, after years of battling cancer.
Bill was born on February 9, 1943 to John and Elizabeth (Bigos) Vojtasek, in Reading. After Bill graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1960, he entered the apprentice program through the Textile Machine Works in Wyomissing, and received his Associate’s degree in Engineering from the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (now Penn State Berks) in 1964.
Bill’s career began as a Tool and Die Maker for Rockwell International, which had bought TMW in the late 1960’s. Without changing jobs, his employer changed yet again in 1975 when the Arrow Products Division of Rockwell International was purchased and became known as Arrow International, Inc. As an Engineering Technician in the Engineering Lab, Bill was instrumental in developing many new vascular catheterization products, as well as the related manufacturing processes and equipment. Bill’s humble spirit, creative mind and innovative designs have earned him not only the respect and admiration of many who have worked with him over the years, but also several patents in his name, including a safe sharps-disposal container, and a hypodermic needle guard.
In 1970, Bill and Margaret (“Mollie”) were married and went on to have 3 children: Mark, Carla and Neil.
Bill always loved his job, and the people with whom he worked, but after 43 years, in 2005, Bill retired from full-time employment at Arrow (now Teleflex Medical) to pursue his other passions: traveling with Mollie, helping his children with numerous projects and home improvements, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while continuing to keep a hand in engineering consulting. Even until this past year, Bill remained active with regular golf outings and polka dances.
Bill was predeceased by his parents John and Elizabeth. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Margaret; son Mark (Diana) Vojtasek, grandchildren Sophia, Nathaniel, Helena and Clara; daughter Carla (Vern) Fitzgerald, grandchildren Austin and Zachery (Chelsea Moyer), great-grandchildren Maiya and Adalyn; and son Neil (Shelley) Vojtasek, grandchildren Nicholas and Marina. He is also survived by his two brothers, John and Thomas, and sister Elaine Betack.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the care that was given by the Compassus hospice care team, and the staff at Penn State Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
Please join us in celebrating Bill’s life. Visitation will be Thursday evening, March 3, 2022, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave, West Reading. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 2600 St. Albans Dr., Reading, followed by a brief prayer service at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary’s Shelter of Reading or St. Ignatius Loyola Church.
Bill was born on February 9, 1943 to John and Elizabeth (Bigos) Vojtasek, in Reading. After Bill graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1960, he entered the apprentice program through the Textile Machine Works in Wyomissing, and received his Associate’s degree in Engineering from the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (now Penn State Berks) in 1964.
Bill’s career began as a Tool and Die Maker for Rockwell International, which had bought TMW in the late 1960’s. Without changing jobs, his employer changed yet again in 1975 when the Arrow Products Division of Rockwell International was purchased and became known as Arrow International, Inc. As an Engineering Technician in the Engineering Lab, Bill was instrumental in developing many new vascular catheterization products, as well as the related manufacturing processes and equipment. Bill’s humble spirit, creative mind and innovative designs have earned him not only the respect and admiration of many who have worked with him over the years, but also several patents in his name, including a safe sharps-disposal container, and a hypodermic needle guard.
In 1970, Bill and Margaret (“Mollie”) were married and went on to have 3 children: Mark, Carla and Neil.
Bill always loved his job, and the people with whom he worked, but after 43 years, in 2005, Bill retired from full-time employment at Arrow (now Teleflex Medical) to pursue his other passions: traveling with Mollie, helping his children with numerous projects and home improvements, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while continuing to keep a hand in engineering consulting. Even until this past year, Bill remained active with regular golf outings and polka dances.
Bill was predeceased by his parents John and Elizabeth. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Margaret; son Mark (Diana) Vojtasek, grandchildren Sophia, Nathaniel, Helena and Clara; daughter Carla (Vern) Fitzgerald, grandchildren Austin and Zachery (Chelsea Moyer), great-grandchildren Maiya and Adalyn; and son Neil (Shelley) Vojtasek, grandchildren Nicholas and Marina. He is also survived by his two brothers, John and Thomas, and sister Elaine Betack.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the care that was given by the Compassus hospice care team, and the staff at Penn State Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
Please join us in celebrating Bill’s life. Visitation will be Thursday evening, March 3, 2022, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Ave, West Reading. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 2600 St. Albans Dr., Reading, followed by a brief prayer service at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary’s Shelter of Reading or St. Ignatius Loyola Church.