Charles Robert Fegley

Charles R. Fegley, 98, of Muhlenberg Township, moved to his Lord's heavenly home on April 4, 2025. Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Charles S and Marcella (Schmeck) Fegley and was the husband of his loving wife, Phyllis E (Layser) Fegley. Charlie graduated from Muhlenberg Township High School in 1944; the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute in 1948 and completed his apprenticeship program in 1948 as a knitting machine designer in the engineering department of Textile Machine Works. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College in 1964. While in his junior and senior years of high school, he worked 38 hours/week operating a variety of manufacturing machines at Karl Liebernkecht. After high school, he entered a draftsman apprentice program at Textile Machine Works. In 1952, he became Chief Engineer at Karl Lieberknechts; In 1956, Chief Design Engineer of Binney & Smith; in 1961, a Mechanization Engineer at Western Electric Co. where he was promoted to senior staff engineer. He retired from Western Electric - AT&T in 1987. During his career, he was awarded over 250 United States and foreign patents. His designs and/or inventions covered the fields of: Full Fashioned and Warp Knitting Machines, Braiding Machines, Crayon Packing Machines, Chalk Molding Machines, Diode Assembly and Welding Machines, Card Loading Machines, Diodes and Transistor Testing Machines and a variety of machinery used in the manufacture of Diodes, Transistors, Sub-Marine Cable Laser Transmitters, Crayon, Chalk and Water Color Manufacture and Anti-Burglary Devices. On all machines he did the complete design: the mechanical, the electrical-electronic and hydraulic. In addition, he invented and designed LED Switch Board Lamps, LED indicating fuses, Submarine Laser Transmitter Packages, shipping containers for submarine cable transmitter components, and the Nike Anti-Ballistic Missile Project. He authored many technical papers, a few are listed here: "Nylon Stockings Programmed to the Wearer" (Control Engineering Magazine, June, 1956); this invention later become the paper tape means for programming numerical controlled machine tools; "Diode Assembly Machine" an engineering case study sent to 20,000 engineering students on 825 college campuses for Western Electrics engineer recruiting program; "Card Loading"; "Card Packing"; "Mechanical Memory Apparatus"; Cam Design Programed by Computer"; "Assemble and Resistance Welding"; etc. In addition, he wrote and illustrated all the maintenance manuals for the machines he invented and designed. Charlie had been active in numerous community programs and organizations: the Muhlenberg Township Board of Health, Secretary of Board 1966-1969; Muhlenberg School Board 1969-1975, President of Board 1969-1970 and Treasurer of Board 1972-1973. In 1998, he was elected to serve a 4-year term as a Commissioner in Muhlenberg Township. He was a 60-year member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a 60-year member of the Reading Lodge No. 549 F&AM., a member of the Valley of Reading Scottish Rite Consistory, The Shartlesville Fish and Game Association, Penn State Alumni Association, Lafayette College Alumni Association and the Hamburg Pistol Club. In addition to his wife Phyllis, he is survived by three children, Michelle, wife of David Wahrenberger (Columbus, OH), Susan, wife of Miles Bentley (Pensacola, FL) Kimberly, wife of Gary Holloway (Milltown, IN). 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Charles M., his grandson Steven Slaby (Pensacola, FL) and his brother Richard R. Fegley (Reading). Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Laureldale, is in charge of arrangements. In Lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Rosedale United Church of Christ, 1301 E Bellevue Ave, Laureldale, PA 19605. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Robert Fegley, please visit our floral store.