Ernest Stegman

Ernest F. Stegman, age 87, of Reading, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 18, 2015.

Born in Reading on October 16, 1927, he was one of three children of the late Carl H. Stegman Sr. and Laura J. Stegman. His family founded Stegman Bakers, in 1889, operating it and other business endeavors in the Reading area, for many years. A graduate of Reading High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Business from Albright College in 1949. In 1951, during the Korean War, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served as a Personnel Specialist in the Quartermaster Corps.

Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Reading and began working in the Personnel Department of the Textile Machine Works division of Wyomissing Industries. On April 28, 1956, he married the former Elizabeth J. Palmer. Possessing an appreciation for the logic that was applied to Engineering, he began what would become a 30 year career with the Western Electric Company in September 1956. He was a participant, and presenter, in over 30 company training schools and earned a Master's degree in Industrial Psychology from Temple University in 1964. He retired from AT&T Technologies, in 1985, as Director of Environmental, Safety & Health Engineering. Raised to value work and accomplishment, and not being one to sit on the sidelines of life, he embarked on a "second career" as a Judicial Coordinator in the Berks County Court of Common Pleas in 1990. He enjoyed the daily interaction he had with people from diverse backgrounds, for 16 years, until his retirement in 2006.

Ernie lived an active life in retirement; in addition to family business, he enjoyed traveling widely with Betty to most of the European countries as well as cruising to numerous ports of call. He valued commitment and service; and, was a member, and served on the boards, of many civic and social organizations - from the YR Club and Breezy Acres Hunt Club to College Manor Swim Club and the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Multi-media First Aid Instructor for the Berks County Chapter of the American Red Cross for over 25 years, served as the Treasurer for two local political campaigns and had been a member of the Chandler Lodge #227 F. & A .M. since 1952. While he never claimed to have hobbies, he did pursue many interests; and, none satisfied him more than weekends spent at "The Farm" or tinkering on his many projects, particularly his 1914 Model T Ford. A profoundly humble person, Ernie was selfless in putting the needs of others before his own, and was dedicated to the care and well-being of his family - particularly the interests of his parents. Wherever life found him, no matter the situation, he was always thoughtful, inquisitive, insightful and ever the consummate gentleman, and a truly gentle man.

Mr. Stegman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Palmer) Stegman; two sons, Jonathan Palmer Stegman, and his wife Lori (Rothrock) of Reading and Peter J. Stegman, and his wife Denise (Varone) of Columbia, SC, and, his grandson, in whom he had boundless pride, Jared Royce Stegman. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Annabelle (Quigley) Stegman of Flying Hills and his nieces and nephews, Antonia Ripley, Laurie Ripley, Steven Ripley and Bret Fake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jody Ann Stegman, his sister, Myrtle Stegman Ripley and his brother, Carl H. "Bud" Stegman Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Berks County, 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604.

His Funeral Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday July 23, 2015 in the Bean Funeral Homes, 1605 Rockland Street, Hampden Heights. Interment in Gethsemane Cemetery will be private. The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M., prior to the service.