Delight E Breidegam

DeLight E. Breidegam, Jr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder of East Penn Manufacturing Co., passed away on September 9, 2015 at the age of 88.

DeLight is predeceased by his Daughter, Sally S. Miksiewicz and Son, Timothy M. Breidegam; also Sisters, Dorothy S. (Breidegam) Sholedice and Faith F. (Breidegam) Himmelreich. He is survived by his wife, Helen S. Breidegam, Oley; his Son, Daniel D. Breidegam, husband of Mary J. (Reilly), Oley; and Grandchildren Timothy R., Daniel D., Katelyn S., and Matthew J. Miksiewicz,  Oley: Mortimer L., husband of Sara (Brasted) Smedley, Kutztown;  Gemma T. Smedley, Oley; and Great-Grandchildren Anna, Reilly, and Logan.

Born in Fleetwood, he was a son of the late DeLight R., Sr., and Helen M. (Fenstermacher) Breidegam.

DeLight attended Gettysburg College and served in the United States Air Force during World War II.

He started East Penn with his father, DeLight, Sr., in 1946. He laid the foundational groundwork that has made East Penn the successful company it is today supporting thousands of employees, communities, and customers worldwide. He deeply cared for the employees of East Penn and always treated them as family.

DeLight was an inspiration to the Industry serving as a member and past president of the Battery Council International (BCI), Lead Industries Association (LIA) and International Battery Manufacturer’s Association (IBMA).

He has been honored by many organizations for his leadership, altruism and philanthropy including the World Entrepreneur Award from Kutztown University, Outstanding Business Leader by Northwood University, Eberly Medal for Philanthrophy and Volunteerism from the PA Fund for the Advancement of the State System of Higher Education, Leadership by Example Award from the Berks County Senior Citizen Council, Business Person of the Year from the Berks County Chamber of Commerce, and the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame of Berks County. DeLight held honorary degrees from Moravian College and Kutztown University. He has served on the Foundation Board at Kutztown and on the Board of Trustees and Finance and Endowment Committees at Moravian.

He was a prominent supporter of our military serving as a member of the Southeastern PA Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee. He received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award from the Department of Defense National Committee, the Army Community of Excellence Award, and the Freedom Award from the Department of Defense National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Despite his long list of awards, honors, and achievements, DeLight would always credit his success to those who worked around him. His legacy not only resides in the remarkable organization he founded and built, but also in the countless lives he touched, encouraged, and inspired to become the very best they could be. His vision, dreams and accomplishments will still live on in the people who follow in his footsteps as they grow the company and support the community and Country he loved and served.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September, 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Kutztown University O’Pake Field House. Doors will open at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to Moravian College, c/o Gary Carney, Institutional Advancement, Moravian College, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018; or online gifts may be made at https://secure.moravian.edu/dev/contribution.asp (In the appropriate box, please indicate that the gift is in memory of DeLight Breidegam.) These

Gifts will go to support a new Health Sciences building that DeLight and Helen had expressed a desire to name after their daughter Sally.

Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.