Obituary of Harry West

Harry B. West, 96, of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown Harry B. West, 96, of Elizabethtown, formerly of Natrona Heights and State College, met his eternal rest on January 8, 2013, at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. Born March 5, 1916, in New Kensington, he was the younger son of the late Emerson C. and Bessie Hall West. On October 22, 1940, he married Beatrice Shukis, who died on January 10, 1973. On July 6, 1973, he married Elizabeth "Dibby" Cowan, who died July 15, 1997. He served four years as a ship superintendent, ordinance, U.S. Navy during World War II and was discharged in 1946 as a Lieutenant, JG. He received a B.S. degree in Management Engineering from Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon University) in June 1939. He was employed by Bethlehem Steel, the U.S. Engineer Corps, Cooper Bessemer Corp., and the St. Regis Paper Co., and was a stock owner and C.E.O. of Logan Lumber Co. He then served as a Business Manager in the Purchasing Office at the Pennsylvania State University, retiring in 1979 after 25 years of service. Over 50 years a Master Mason, achieving the 32nd degree, he helped organize the DeMolay Chapter of State College, Altoona Consistory and Bellefonte Commandery. For ten years, he held the office of Secretary and Treasurer of that Chapter, receiving the highest DeMolay adult award (Cross of Honor) for distinguished service. Active in Scouting, he was an Adult Sponsor and Advisor in troops in Natrona Heights and State College. A deacon of the State College Presbyterian Church, he was a member of that congregation for more than 40 years. He was also a member of State College Lodge 700 of the Free and Accepted Masons, Bellefonte Chapter 241 of the Royal Arch Masons, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Boy Scouts of America, the Y's Men, Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity, Centre Hills Country Club & a past president of the Pennsylvania State University Retired Faculty and Staff Club. He is survived by two sons, Jeffrey C. West and his wife, Patricia, of Albuquerque, NM.; and Douglas H. West and his wife, Jane, of Hanover, Pa.; a daughter-in-law, Sandy West, of McCormick, SC.; three grandsons; two granddaughters; three great grandsons and two great granddaughters. A third son, Bradley B. West, preceded him in death on December 14, 1998. His twin sister, Genevieve Knotts, a sister Marguerite and a brother, Fred, also preceded him in death. Memorial and Masonic Funeral Services will be held at the Sell Chapel, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA, on Monday, January, 14, 2013, at 10:30 am with a time to greet family and friends at 10:00 am. Services will also be held at the State College Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Burial will take place at the family plot at the Plum Creek Cemetery, Plum, PA, on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Avenue, State College, PA 16801; the Dibby West Fund, Centre County Community Foundation, Inc., PO Box 824, State College, PA 16804; or the State College Lodge #700, Free & Accepted Masons, 240 South Fraser Street, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.