William Pflum, Jr

William Franklin Pflum, Jr. 84, of Cumru Twp., passed away January 30, 2011 at 9:11 PM in Reading Hospital & Medical Center. He was the husband of Mary R. "Polly" (Ross) Pflum for 61 years. Born in Reading on June 22, 1926, he was the son of the late William F. Sr. and Rozilla (Gettel) Pflum.

Bill was a 1943 graduate of Reading High School and received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University in 1950. He served in the US Navy during World War II aboard LST 571 in the South Pacific.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son Bruce W. Pflum husband of Donna L. Pflum of Lancaster, a daughter Cynthia A. (Pflum) wife of Robert L. Pipkin, Jr. of Kenhorst, a granddaughter Laura E. Pflum of Greenville, Mississippi and a sister Janice M. (Pflum) widow of William Reber of Exeter Twp.

He was employed as an electrical engineer by Gilbert Associates for 37 years retiring in 1987. He worked on both fossil fuel and nuclear power plants in the United States and Iran, Japan and Egypt.

He served as a Cumru Twp. Supervisor, Twp. Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, Zoning Hearing Board Member and Cumru Respresentative on the Park Road Connector US 222 Task Force. Upon his retirement the Commissioners named a meeting room in his honor.

Bill was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving as an usher and Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Vestry and Property Committees. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the Episcopal House of Reading for many years.

Bill was always interested in Berks County History, especially the Reading Railroad and Schuylkill and Union Canals. He was a member of the Berks County Historical Society and a volunteer guide at the Heritage Center. He was a 20 year member of the Pottstown and Reading Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1094, Reading, Pa 19603.