Hugh Edward Bodden

Hugh Edward Bodden, 86, of West Lawn, passed away December 6, 2009 in Reading Hospital.

His wife Bernice Shirley (Rose) Bodden died October 10, 2009. They were married for 63 years on January 5.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of the late Hugh A. and Kathleen (Walters) Bodden.

He was a 1940 graduate of Dumont High School, Dumont, NJ and of SUNY Maritime College, Throggs Neck, NY in 1944.

Hugh was a World War II veteran serving in the Merchant Marines.

He began his professional career as an inspector for Travelers Insurance. He was later employed by Metropolitan Edison as a mechanical and electrical engineer, specializing in pressure vessels. In 1954, he moved to Reading where he began his career with Met Ed. Later he moved to Middletown, PA to run Met Ed's Crawford Station, then back to Reading at Titus Station, followed by a stint in the Poconos. At each of these sites Hugh was the Supervisor of Generation. In 1962 Hugh completed his academic requirements and earned his Professional Engineering License. He finished his career as the Director of Generation in Reading retiring from Met Ed in 1985.

Following his retirement, he consulted as a nuclear power plant engineer for: Gilbert Associates, Commonwealth Associates, LTL and PP&L in their Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant.

Hugh was an active member of Valley Forge Baptist Temple.

Hugh loved spending time with his wife and was able to enjoy many years in retirement with her. They owned a home in Florida, where they lived during the winter months; from Florida, he and Bernice went on many cruises that they thoroughly relished. He loved golf and any maritime activities.

His family was paramount to him; he would look forward to communicating and gathering with his family on a regular basis. Other hobbies included: home repair, yard work, golf, model ships and biographies, especially war novels.

He is survived by his four children, David E., husband of June A. Bodden, Barrington, RI; James A., husband of Patti Jo Bodden, Evans, GA; Douglas R., husband of Nancy R. Bodden, Wyomissing and Barbara L., wife of Philip C. Apple, Orlando, FL. Eleven grandchildren: Douglas, Jr., Mandy, Jaden, Clayton, Kyle, Scott, Stephanie, Danielle, Michelle, Chris and Casey; and four great grandchildren: Owen, Kourtney, Alec and Maci also survive him. He was predeceased by his grandson, Dustin J. (Dbo), in 2000; his brother, Arthur I Bodden and his sister, Kathleen Bodden.

Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Valley Forge Baptist Temple. Burial will be in Limerick Gardens. Friends may call Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the church. Contributions may be made to: Valley Forge Baptist Temple, 616 S. Trappe Road, Collegeville, PA 19426-2835. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.