Oliver F. Smith

Oliver F. Smith, Jr., 91, of Wyomissing, died February 22, 2010 in the Highland at Wyomissing.

He was the husband of Dorothy (Wertz) Smith, whom he married in 1944.

Born in Chicago, IL, he was the son of Oliver F., Sr. and Catherine (Campbell) Smith.

Oliver was a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, 1936 and Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1940, where we was a Special Merit Scholar and received a B.S. degree in Public Service Engineering.

He worked in engineering for several corporations including Peoples Gas Co., Chicago; Standard Oil Co., Whiting, IN and Armstrong World industries, Lancaster. He joined Wertz Electric Co., Reading in 1946 as Chief Engineer and was licensed as a Professional Engineer in PA in 1946. In 1960, after two short projects with two other industries, he was employed by Western Electric, now Lucent Technologies Corp and retired as a senior Staff Engineer in 1981.

Oliver was a member of the Reading Jr. Chamber of Commerce 1947-1950 and the Reciprocity Club, 1952-1957 (President 1954-1955). He was named consulting and contributing editor, Heating, Piping, and Air Conditioning magazine, Chicago, 1975-1981. He was a past director of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 1975-1997. He was elected "Engineer of the Year" by the Reading Chapter, PA, Society of Professional Engineers, 1981. During the 1980's he was an active member of the Torch Club of Reading. From 1979-1985 he was appointed to Wyomissing Boro's Building committee. He was a member and past Chairman Low Level Radiation Disposal Advisory Committee, PA Department of environmental Protection, 1981-1992. He was an appointed member and treasurer of Western Berks Water Authority, 1991-2004.

He volunteered as a teacher and bird census statistician at Nolde Forest environmental Education Center, 1975-2003.

Oliver was a member and past Vestryman at Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, since 1946.

His love of books, the arts and family were primary influences in his life. A nonconformist of sorts, the pursuit of knowledge and truths were his goals.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children: Catherine S. Fain, Dayton, OH and Christopher W., husband of Yvonne C. Smith, Leesport. There are four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren surviving.

Services will be Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 11 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, 6th and Washington Streets, Reading, PA 19601. A reception will be held in the Hintz Room at the church immediately following the service. Parking is available in the church lot using the 5th Street entrance. Burial in Charles Evans Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Diakon Hospice: 1030 Van Reed Road, Ste 102, Reading, PA 19610-2039 or Trinity Lutheran Church at the above address. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.