Obituary of Walter Joseph Lufkin

Walter Joseph Lufkin, Jr., longtime Abington resident, died peacefully in his sleep on December 19, 2012 at Rydal Park Retirement Community, Jenkintown. Known to many as 'Bob' from an early age, his close family and others affectionately called him 'Pater'. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, the former Doris Lillian Cripps, and three children - daughter Lois Lufkin Peiffer and son-in-law Bruce, of Glenside, PA and grandchildren Thomas, Elizabeth and Robert Peiffer; son Richard Cripps and wife Ruth (nee Womersley) of Basking Ridge, NJ and grandsons Graeme, Alan, and Ralph; and son Robert Walter and his wife, the former Loida Santos, of St. Petersburg, FL and grandchildren Ariel, Adrienne, and Alex. Graeme's son, Miles, is a great-grandson. Born in Philadelphia on May 24, 1917 the younger son of Walter Joseph Lufkin and his wife Elizabeth (nee Aubel), he was predeceased by his brother Charles Lawson Lufkin and sister-in-law, the former Elizabeth Foote. Raised in West Oak Lane, Walter was ranked 12 of 358 students when he graduated from Northeast High School in 1935. Hired as a textile salesman by Dykeman Loeb & Co. in Philadelphia, he continued his education at Philadelphia Textile College, the first of many night classes that kept him learning throughout his life. Though he never received a college degree, Walt was well schooled in engineering and mathematics; work methods, simplification, and standards; and general management skills. Jewelry making, wood-working and stained glass were hobbies he refined with evening classes. An adult school class in parapsychology led him to be the founding president of the Parapsychology Society of Greater Philadelphia, a source of many entertaining social gatherings and field trips. As a young man he was a member of the Oak Lane 20 Club, a "local Philadelphia club designed for looking after community needs," and this commitment to those around him continued throughout his life. Enlisting in 1940 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Walt served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate. He participated in nuclear testing at Kwajalein and was a plank owner of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station. In 1945 he joined Atlantic Refining Company, the start of a thirty year career. His range of responsibilities early on included the new field of industrial engineering, and later he was involved in implementing computerization and information technology. He retired from Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), now British Petroleum, as Systems Implementation Manager. Having moved his family to Abington in 1955, Walt became an active member of Abington Presbyterian Church, serving on a number of church committees and on the Session. He was a leader in organizing the Historic Committee and served as Chairman for 14 years, establishing the Memorial Garden for cremains and originating and supervising the needlepoint tapestry project marking the 250th Anniversary of the Church. Walt started and led the "Tuesday Morning Gang," performing light maintenance in the church and on the grounds for many years. In retirement Walt was very active in the community, serving 19 years on the Advisory Board of the Montgomery County Office on Aging & Adult Services, especially involved in Project Sharing and Caring. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Action Committee benefited from his energy and leadership for 10 years. In 1983 he wrote the history of Abington for Montgomery County, the Second Hundred Years, while serving the Old York Road and Upper Moreland Historical Societies. He was also an engaged and valued member of the Philadelphia Trail Club, the Navy League, and the Jenkintown Rotary Club, and swam for many years at Hatboro YMCA. Walter enjoyed hiking and camping with his family and friends, and led many exploratory automobile trips across America. With his wife Doris always at his side he traveled to England and shared several Caribbean cruises with friends. His lifelong avocation for investing served him well. Residents of Rydal Park since 2004, Walt and his wife continued to appreciate the outdoors. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Abington Presbyterian Church, Old York and Susquehanna Roads, Abington. Friends will be received after the service. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made, in his name, to Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.