Obituary of Robert Bruce Wall

R. Bruce Wall, age 86, a resident of Normandy Farms Estates in Blue Bell, PA and formerly of Abington, PA died on November 12, 2010. He was the beloved husband of Adele L. Ritchie Wall for 65 years. Born in Glenside, PA, he was the son of the late Eugene Wolgamuth Wall and the late Doretta Mullen Wall. Mr. Wall attended Glenside Weldon Elementary and Junior High School where he played little league baseball. He graduated from Abington High School in 1941, where he was active in the Latin Club, A Cappella Choir, Elizabethan Singers and had a role in the school play. In 1947, he earned his B.S degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wall served actively and in the Reserve program with the U.S Army from 1943- 1952. He attained rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the training unit of Camp Claibourne, LA. He served during the Pacific Theatre and was stationed on the island of Okinawa from May 1945 until June of 1946. He was discharged from active duty in 1946 and then was recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. He was promoted to First Lieutenant and stationed ion Ft. Belvoir, VA from where he was honorably discharged in 1952. In 1941, he began his professional career with Provident National Bank. After returning from military service in 1947, Mr. Wall joined Fernley and Fernley, Inc., a Trade Association Management Firm. During his 42 year career there he was the Executive Director with 11 trade associations including The National Association of Aluminum Distributors, The National Wholesale Hardware Association, the National Welding Supply Association; the National Jewelers Association; the Resistance Welding Association and the American Machine Tool Distributors. He retired in 1989 however; remained with the firm as a Senior Consultant for over a year. In 1990, he became the Business Manager of Abington Presbyterian Church, where he had been a member since 1955. During his membership, he had been a member of the choir from 1956 - 1996, had served a three-year term on the Board of Deacons, served two 6-year terms on the Board of Elders, was an Usher and chaired the Staff Personnel Committee and Organ Study Committee. In 1973, Mr. Wall was appointed to complete a term of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners. He later was elected to three four-year terms and had served as President from 1980-1984. He had also volunteered at Abington Memorial Hospital as an Emergency Room greeter in the late 1960's and while raising his sons, volunteered as a coach fro the Babe Ruth League Youth Baseball. After moving to Normandy Farms in 1996, Mr. Wall became an active volunteered there by serving on the Marketing Team. He was also a member and had served as chairperson of the Development Committee, Property Committee and Community Affairs Committee. He served as President of the Residents Association from 1999- 2000. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons; R. Bruce Wall, Jr. and his wife Ann of Carlisle, PA and Philip A. Wall and his wife Janet of New Britain, PA and by six grandchildren. His son, Jeffrey D. Wall, died in 1978. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, where friends will be received after the service. There will also be a memorial service on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Lobby of Normandy Farms Estates, 9000 Twin Silo Drive, Blue Bell, where friends will be received after the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Red Cross, 2221 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.