Charles Bradford

Dr. Charles Ernest Broeckl Bradford, 92, died on December 26, 2012, in The Highlands at Wyomissing, after a two year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. The family would like to thank the staff in Heather Court for the care given to Charles.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Broling Bradford, and the father of Alan, husband of Marilyn; Bruce, husband of Eva, all of Salt Point, NY; and Diane, wife of Perry Focht, Blandon. There are seven grandchildren: Daniel, Anna, Rebekah, Leah and Mariah Bradford; and Bradford and Erika Focht. A sister-in-law, Alicia Bradford, Los Angeles, CA also survives him.

He was predeceased by one brother, Robert Bradford.

Charles was born September 6, 1920. By the time he was 15 he had lost both his father, Hans Broeckl, and his step-father, Walter Bradford, to cancer. His mother Ruth's efforts and scholarships enabled him to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1944.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy and, after the war, was employed by Philco Corp as a field engineer. He was sent to work in the Philippines and Japan for one year.

After earning a PhD in Nuclear Physics from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1954, he went to work for Bell Telephone Laboratories until his retirement in 1988. He developed traveling wave tubes, millimeter wave diodes and integrated circuits. One of the traveling wave tube designs he worked on went into space on Telestar 1. He also worked with their computer systems.

Charles was an avid golfer with two holes in one. He and Joyce traveled extensively by plane, train, boat, bus and automobile. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. A reception for friends will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in The Highlands Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following: Diakon Hospice St. John, 1030 Reed Avenue, Suite 102, Wyomissing, PA 19610 or Alzheimer's Association, 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.