Lynn Jack Bradt, 89 formerly of Easton, PA lost his courageous battle with vascular dementia Sunday, May 7, 2017. Born April 8, 1928 in St. Louis, MO he was a son of the late Phoebe (Wright) and Horace Bradt. Jack was a very active member of the Lehigh Valley community and was deeply involved with both the business community and with services for children.
After graduating from high school in Monterrey, Mexico, he served in the US Marine Corps, 1946 – 1948. He continued to Cornell University where he met his wife, Patricia Thornton, and received a Bachelor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in 1953. Patricia and Jack married in 1952 and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage in September. He founded SI Handling Systems (now part of Paragon Technologies) in Easton in 1958 and remained its CEO and president until retirement in 1986. He then focused his energies on teaching as the “Entrepreneur in Residence” at Lehigh University and as “Executive in Residence” at Cornell University.
His concern for the less fortunate continued as Director of Human Services in Northampton County (1994 -1997) and as a founding member and Director of ProJeCT of Easton during the tumultuous late 1960’s. He served as president of the Easton Area Council of Churches and of United Way of Northampton/Warren Counties. His concern for children involved him with Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley. Jack was a Director of several companies, banks, and non-profits and enjoyed his contacts through the Philadelphia Presidents’ Organization. He was a valued Trustee of Lafayette College, Easton Hospital and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He received many awards for his work with businesses and non-profits including the 1985 Pennsylvania Small Businessman of Year from the Small Business Administration and “2008 Soli Deo Gloria” Award from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton for over 59 years, serving in many leadership positions. In his later years Jack not only helped establish the Hamilton Business Center in Allentown, but also the Executive Service Corps of the Lehigh Valley, where retired executives advise non-profits.
A talented sailor, Jack enjoyed sailing competitions on his beloved Lake Fairview in the Poconos. An enthusiastic biker, he often rode from Easton to Allentown along the Lehigh River bike path. He leaves an outstanding model for community service.
He is survived by: his wife, Dr. Patricia Bradt; two sons: James Bradt of Minneapolis, MN, George Bradt of Merion Station, PA; a brother: James Bradt of Clayton, CA; and 3 grandchildren: Brian and Tara Moriarty and Natalie Bradt. He was predeceased by his daughter: Julia Bradt Hallingse.
A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Wednesday, May 10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9:30 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 18042 or ProJeCt of Easton, 320 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Roger and Sue Ruggles
May 9, 2017 at 5:23 pm
Both of us will miss Jack’s laugh and his work in the community. Our thoughts and prayers continue with all the family members.
Gloria and Mike Bolton
May 10, 2017 at 10:22 am
Pat and family:
Gloria and I were very saddened to learn of Jack’s passing.
It was my honor to know and work with Jack over many years and it is clear that the Lehigh Valley has lost one of its most dedicated cheerleaders and a valued leader of a broad range of charitable and economic development activities that enabled many people to reach for their dreams.
Jack’s dedicated efforts in support of various programs that helped entrepreneurs and small businesses were unmatched. Although Jack was not a Lehigh alumnus, his efforts to help organize and encourage support for Lehigh’s outreach activities like the Small Business Development Center, Manufacturers Resource Center and the Ben Franklin Technology Center were important to their success and Jack must have been pleased that these activities continue to have significant impact on the region’s economic and technology development. Also, his key role in the founding of the successful NEPA Venture Funds was appreciated greatly by his partners in those funds and by the many start-up companies that were able to achieve success with the help of the investments from those funds.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time and we hope that you and your family are comforted by the many happy memories of a gentleman who loved his family and who did so much for his Lehigh Valley community.
Gloria and Mike Bolton
Osprey, FL.
Tom Thornton
May 14, 2017 at 7:10 pm
We’ll miss you Uncle Jack. I’m remembering your steely calmness when we nephews and nieces would pile into the Easton house for the holidays, and at a certain point would become too rambunctious and break something–typically the acceptable indoor noise thresholds! You were nearly always the one to herd us outside for some vigorous activity that would exhaust us enough so we could return to the house a bit less boisterous. In my case it was going “long” to catc “bomb” football passes. Worked pretty well!
And I remember, on yours and Aunt Pat’s 50th wedding anniversary, how you said it was so nice to see everyone, but [pause] how you just wished Julie could have been there too. We felt your profound grief at losing your only daughter, cousin Julie, in the prime of life. Now you shall finely be reunited in peace.
I came again across this passage from William Penn in Q Faith & Practice today, which seems fitting for our Uncle and all the Bradts and family in this time of grief.
“They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it.
Death cannot kill what never dies.
Nor can spirits ever be divided, that love and live in the same divine principle, the root and record of their friendship.
If absence be not death, neither is theirs.
Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still.
For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent.
In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure.
This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.”
Love,
Tom Thornton & Family
Randolph S. Little
May 15, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Jack was an outstanding motivator in the Cornell Society of Engineers, offering excellent ideas and leading by good example. He will be forever in our hearts.
CJ Rhoads
June 23, 2017 at 9:56 am
I just heard the news – and am so very very sorry. Jack was a great mentor to me. Without him, my first business would have died on the vine. Instead, due to Jack’s help and mentorship, I was able to successfully grow and sell my business eight years later.
He was wonderful – intelligent, dedicated, hard-working. He didn’t pull punches, and gave me what I needed to succeed. I owe him everything.