Bruce T. Bachofer

Bruce Theodore Bachofer, 78, of Oley Pennsylvania, passed away quietly at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday November 25, 2011.

Bruce was the husband of Dawn Louise (Adams) Bachofer. They were married on June 25, 1955 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage, five children and eight grandchildren.

He was born in Reading on April 20, 1933 to Sara M. Hinkle and John L.C. Bachofer. Bruce graduated from Reading High School. His passion was swimming; he swam for Reading High School, the Reading YMCA and Lehigh University. In later life this translated into a love for scuba diving that he shared with his family.

Bruce graduated from Lehigh University in 1955 as an electrical engineer and from Drexel University in 1964 with a Masters Degree in Engineering Management. He joined General Electric in 1955 spending the majority of his career at the Space Systems Division in Valley Forge, Pa. As his career grew he worked to develop military communications satellites and commercial space vehicles, both for the United States and internationally. A major effort with the Landsat NASA Earth resources satellites program at the Godard Space Flight Center, frequently took him to Germany and Japan. He retired from an executive management position leading the Advanced Program organization to develop new aerospace and corporate business opportunities.

He was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ. He served on the consistory, was an elder of the church and was very active on the property committee. Bruce enjoyed spending time with his family, building fine furniture, cooking and helping his children with their home projects.

In addition to his wife, Bruce is survived by five children and their spouses; Karen and Sam Hunt, Linda and Dennis Curtis, Jill and Wayne Morris, Todd and Linda Bachofer and Dave and Kathy Bachofer, a brother John L.C. Bachofer, Jr. and a sister Nancy C. Kaucher. He was the proud and loving grandfather to Brian Curtis, Kevin Curtis, Jason Curtis, Matthew Hunt, Ian Hunt, Emma Bachofer, Kyle Bachofer and Ethan Bachofer.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 am on Friday December 2, 2011 at Friedens United Church of Christ located at 337 Main Street, Oley, Pa. The memorial service will follow at 11 AM. Burial will be in the Friedens Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to Friedens Memorial Fund or Opportunity House at 430 North Second Street, P.O. Box 12303, Reading, Pa 19612