Sumner W. Reid

Sumner W. Reid, 90, died December 20, 2010 at Phoebe Berks Village. He was the husband of Catherine (Ashman) Reid for 67 years. Born in Portland, ME, he was a son of the late Allen W. and Myra (Paine) Reid. He was a 1938 graduate of Wyomissing High School and earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1942. Sumner was first employed by York Corp. for 12 years, where he designed Air Conditioning Units. In 1953, he was hired as a consulting engineer by Gilbert Associates, Reading; he retired in 1983 as Manager of the HVAC Engineering Department. He was a member of Hain's United Church of Christ, Wernersville. Sumner maintained a high standard of professional excellence throughout his career; he was a former President of the Reading Chapter of PSPE (Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers), and he taught mechanical drafting at York Jr. College and Albright College. For 18 years, he also wrote a monthly technical article for American Artisan Magazine. Active in his community, he was a longtime member of the Reading Rotary, where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow and served in 1978 as President. He was a church council member for 9 years at Nativity Lutheran Church, Reading. Sumner was an Eagle Scout and was a Scoutmaster for Troop 30, Reading. A descendent of two Mayflower Pilgrims, he was a member of and served as registrar of the Pennsylvania Chapter of General Society Mayflower Descendents. His Mayflower heritage was highlighted in a Reading Eagle article on November 20. Sumner was a member of both the Delaware Valley Paperweight Collectors Association and the National Paperweight Collectors Association. He was a founding member of Das Squarischer Groupen and was member of the Star Dusters and several other square dancing clubs. Following retirement, he and Catherine enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and many countries around the world. Whenever possible, they researched family geneology. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Douglas O., husband of Claudia Reid, Wanaque, NJ, Donald A., husband of Dorothy Reid, Temperance, MI; and Elizabeth "Betsy" R. Roberts, Bridgeton, NJ; and his sister, Martha R. Cucci, Rochester, NY. His grandchildren are: Brian, Melanie, Beth, Marnina, Vicki, and Jeffrey. He was predeceased by one brother, Lewis H. Reid and his granddaughter, Erin Roberts. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Phoebe Berks Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Phoebe Berks, 1 Reading Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565 or Hain's UCC, 591 North Church Road Wernersville, PA 19565. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.