Atty. Martin W. Binder

Martin Walter "Marty" Binder, age 82, of Shillington, died peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2008 at home, surrounded by his family, following a long illness. He was married to Lois Marion (Lamson) Binder, from Allentown, with whom he shared 59 wonderful years. Marty was born on September 28, 1926 in Reading, Pennsylvania, son of the late Charles and Regina (Zajdowicz) Binder. He graduated from Reading High School in 1944, Muhlenberg College in 1950 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1952. He practiced law in Reading for over 50 years.

At 5'11" and 150 pounds, Marty was Reading High's top football player in 1943. He is still regarded as one of the greatest offensive halfbacks in Muhlenberg College history and was inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Explosively quick and powerful, he was the nation's No. 3 rusher in 1948, when his 102 points, 17 touchdowns and 1,142 rushing yards earned him Little All-American honors. Amazingly, his career touchdown record stood until 2000, even though he had a year of football eligibility remaining when he graduated.

Marty interrupted his college years to serve his country in 1945 and 1946 as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Interpreter in the South Pacific.

Following graduation from law school in 1952, he entered the private practice of law in Reading under the guidance of George Balmer. For many years, he was a partner of Binder and McGavin and, at the time of his death, was retired and serving as Of Counsel to Binder Law Offices, P.C. He was a member of the Berks County Bar Association, Endlich Law Society and served as the solicitor for the Reading Parking Authority.

Marty was universally loved and admired for his quiet strength, gentle spirit and sense of humor. He combined a sharp mind with an easygoing and humble demeanor. His life was marked by generosity and devotion to his family, friends and his profession. He was a wonderful husband, an adoring father and grandfather, a supportive colleague and a steadfast friend. He had a keen appreciation for nature and enjoyed playing golf, bridge and games with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Marty is survived by his son, Thomas M. Binder and his wife Barbara of Sinking Spring, and his two daughters, Barbara and her husband, Dr. Michael P. Casey of Rosemont, and Patricia and her husband Thad A. Throneburg of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He is also survived by a brother, David Binder, two half-brothers, Richard Binder and James Binder and a half-sister, Karen Binder Ingram. Marty was predeceased by a brother, Charles Binder.

Other survivors include his beloved grandchildren: Annie Casey Milligan and her husband, Drew, Shannon Casey, Marty Casey, Kate Throneburg, Emma Throneburg, Natalie Binder, Douglas McNeill and Meghan McNeill.

Services will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township.

Memorials may be made at the donor's choice to Trinity Lutheran Church, 6th & Washington Streets, Reading, PA 19601, the Reading Chapter of the Salvation Army, 1225 Lancaster Avenue, Reading, PA 19607 or the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Lois Pope LIFE Center, Miami, FL 33136. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.