Frederick Eugene Bechtel

Frederick E. Bechtel, 91, a resident of Lakemont, Altoona, and formerly of Williamsburg, passed away Tuesday morning, March 16, 2016, at UPMC Altoona. Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, March 23 at the Williamsburg Church of the Brethren, 529 W 3rd Street. Visitation will be held at the Church beginning at 10 AM. “Fred,” born August 24, 1924 in Woodbury, Pennsylvania, was the son of Homer A. Bechtel and Bessie May Dilling Bechtel. He served in the United States Army during World War II and later attended, Bucknell University where he earned a degree in Physics. Fred worked for Dupont as an engineer before starting his own company where he worked as an independent researcher and inventor. He later worked as a vacuum tube product engineer for Sylvania in Altoona. Radios, televisions, and many other electronics devices utilized the electron tubes he helped design and develop. Fred is survived by his brother, John, 92, and his niece, Laura Meltzer, and nephew, Scott Bechtel. Fred was a lifelong member of the Williamsburg Church of the Brethren. Arrangements by the S. Gerald Weaver Funeral Home (weaversfh.com), Woodbury.

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