Llewellyn Richard Stephens

Llewellyn Richard Stephens, a former city planner and a retired architect, died July 25 at 6 a.m. in The Hawthorne, Reading.

Stephens, 67, Wyomissing, formerly of Reading, was predeceased by his wife, Barbara L. (McMonagle) Stephens, on March 31, 1996.

A former city planner, Stephens helped formulate the plans for the Downtown East Urban and Riverfront renewal projects.

He was a co-author of the Central Business District Study Report.

Stephens was employed for 28 years as an architect by the state Department of General Services' Bureau of Architecture and Engineering, retiring in 2001.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Forrest and Kathryn (Tomko) Stephens.

Stephens was a 1956 graduate of Reading High School and a 1969 graduate of Clemson (S.C.) University with a bachelor's degree in architecture.

He was an Air Force veteran.

Stephens was the recipient of a design award from the Solite Corp. and the author of articles dealing with progressive educational methods and architecture.

He studied under R. Buckminster Fuller, Paolo Soleri, George Rockrise and Dan Kiley.

Stephens served on the board of the Animal Rescue League and East End Athletic Association.

He was a member for more than 50 years of St. John's Lodge 435, F&AM, Reading.

Stephens was one of the organizers of the crime watch organization in Reading.

Surviving are two daughters, Jennifer L. (Stephens) Himmelberger, Wyomissing, and Kelly L. (Stephens) Wylam, Harrisburg.

Other survivors include three grandchildren and a stepgranddaughter.

Services will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading. Friends may call 12:30 to 1:30 p.m Thursday at the Kuhn Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton.