W. Bruce Drinkhouse, Jr., 86, of Easton died Sunday, April 14, 2013 in his home.
Born: December 26, 1926 in Easton he was a son of the late W. Bruce and Etta (Lerch) Drinkhouse, Sr.
Personal: He graduated from Easton High School in 1944; from Lafayette College, Phi Beta Kappa in 1950 and he received his MBA from Lehigh University in 1965. He received the Danny Hatch ’07, Hilton Rahn ’20 and William Greenip ‘44 Service Awards from Lafayette College. A Chemical Engineer and Financial Analyst, he had been employed by Bethlehem Steel for 20 years before retiring in 1982 and was a WWII Army veteran.
Memberships: He had been a Treasurer and a member of Sessions at First Presbyterian Church, Easton. He was a Past-President of the Lehigh Valley Alumni Chapter, Lafayette College; and Past- President of the Friends of Skillman Library. He also served as Treasurer of the Chi Phi Fraternity Corporation and received their Distinguished Service Citation. He was a Past-President (‘78 – ‘85) and Board member (‘61 – ‘85) of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Survivors: His brother: David Drinkhouse of Easton; a niece: Anne Dailey of Washington, DC; and nephew: Frank Drinkhouse of Belleville, IL.
Services: Will be private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions: May be made to Lafayette College, c/o Development Office, Markle Hall, Easton, PA 18042, designated for the Lehigh Valley Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Donna and Jim Krivoski
April 16, 2013 at 10:50 am
We are both very saddened by this news. Bruce was our neighbor when we lived on College Hill. He was one of the kindest, sweetest persons we have ever known. He will be missed by many in the neighborhood and at Lafayette. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.
Dr. Harry A. Freebairn
April 17, 2013 at 10:55 am
We have had occasion to meet Bruce (and David) only once since our return to the community, and that compounds our sadness upon the occasion of his death. In my memory he was one of the stalwarts of First Presbyterian Church, Easton. As Treasurer he was meticulous in his stewardship. As Church Master, he was as dependable as the day is long. He did so many things well, and never sought the limelight. It was often hard to thank him properly since he shunned attention. He served our church out of loyalty to his family, which was his way of preserving history. He wanted more than anything else to be a teacher of history, and his retirement gave him opportunity to pursue that quest. No one loved Lafayette College more than he. He was a behind the scenes solid citizen, and, though he would not think so, many will miss him. I thank God for the privilege of knowing him.
Jay C. Richards
April 18, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Bruce Drinkhouse was an Easton High School classmate of my father Jacob “Jay” Richards. Both served in the Army. The two had not seen each other very in the years following WW2. However, when my father died in May 1975, Mr. Drinkhouse came to the funeral and introduced himself to us. My mother never forgot his kindness. Please accept the condolences of Jay T. Richards’ family.