Henry Adam Rentschler

Henry Adam Rentschler 84, died on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 after a long struggle with cancer. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on July 27, 1928 to Edith Beckett Rentschler and Walter Anthony Rentschler. He went to prep school at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, then attended Princeton University. He was on the lightweight crew team, which was undefeated in his freshman year. He graduated in 1950. His father was a member of the class of 1925. Rentschler was involved with many Princeton activities after graduation and was class president for the 50th reunion in 2000. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1954 and oversaw the building of aircraft rescue boats. Rentschler held several administrative and management positions at the Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp., later the Baldwin-Hamilton Company, eventually rising to president. The firm manufactured a variety of products including giant industrial presses, cranes and ship propellers, as well as Baldwin locomotives and spare parts. Rentschler joined the historic St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley in 1992. The congregation dates back to 1700 and was originally part of the Church of England. It became Episcopalian after the American Revolution. The original church building dates back to 1744. A new building, designed as a Pennsylvania bank barn, was built to increase worship space and to add classrooms, a choir room and a nursery. Rentschler was a major donor for the new building, Holy Table, cupola, weathervane and beautiful mechanical organ. He generously started an endowment fund for music. Rentschler was on the Tredyffrin Township board of supervisors from 1968 through 1976. He was chairman of the board during the Chesterbrook controversy. He voted in favor of the planned community. He served on the board of directors of the Stratton Mutual Funds from 1986 to 2003. Rentschler was elected to the board of directors of the Society for Industrial Archeology in 1993 and placed in charge of Tours and Conferences. He arranged the first SIA tour abroad, which explored early industrial England. Rentschler leaves his devoted friend and dear companion Rosmarie Hope; three children, Walter A. Rentschler, Stephanie Woolley and Patricia McConnell; and two grandchildren. He also leaves his brother, Thomas Beckett Rentschler of Hamilton, Ohio, and sister Elizabeth Rentschler Melnick of Vero Beach, Florida. Life Celebration Memorial Service will be Sat. April 20, 2013 at 11AM with a visitation from 10-11AM all at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, 2475 Saint Peter's Road, Malvern, PA 19355 Memorials may be given to St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, 2475 Saint Peter's Road, Malvern, PA 19355. www.maugergivnish.com