Michael Yatron

Dr. Michael Yatron, 86, passed away, June 30, 2008 in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township.

He was the husband of Georgine (Ortiz) Yatron.

Born in Reading, PA on July 20, 1921 he was a son to the late Peter and Rallio Yatron.

A graduate of Reading High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Kutztown State College in 1942. He was awarded a full scholarship to study Economics at Harvard University, but left after one semester to enroll in the United States Army where he served his country during World War II. While in the Army he earned a Certificate in European languages from the University of California at Berkley in Serbo-Croatian. He achieved his Master of Arts degree in English from Temple University in 1950.

Yatron taught English at Temple University and the University of Puerto Rico prior to completing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in English at Temple University in 1957. Subsequently he taught English and Literature for six years at Delaware State College and twenty years at Kutztown State College.

His scholarly book, America's Literacy Revolt, a comparative study of Edgar Lee Masters, Vachel Lindsay and Edgar Lee Masters, published in 1959, is still cited from by writers and researchers of these three major American poets.

A Master chess player, Yatron dominated local tournaments for many years. He won the Pennsylvania State Class "A" championship in 1943. In 1951 he defeated Russian Master Eugene Znosko-Borowski at the International Chess Tournament in Paris.

In addition to his wife, Georgine, he is survived by his children: Byron M. Yatron and his wife Judy, Wyomissing; and Peter M. Yatron, Wyomissing.

There are two grandchildren: Byron P. Yatron and Robert J. Yatron, both of Wyomissing.

He is also survived by four sisters and four brothers: Marina Asthon, Marilyn Holden, Irene Perrine, all of Reading; Frances Miller, Exeter; Harry Yatron, Sinking Spring; Nick Yatron, Reading; Paul Yatron, Montrose Manor and Stratton Yatron, Lincoln Park.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Friends may call from 1:30 to 2 p.m. For online condolences, please visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.