Donald S. Spitzer

Donald Spitzer, on September 10, 2024, of Haverford, PA; beloved husband of the late Ellin (nee Peiper); loving father of Amy S. Kass (Michael) and Andy Spitzer (Linda Pegalis); cherished grandfather of Adam, Alex and Eric. 

Donald graduated from Lehigh University in 1956 with a degree in industrial engineering. He joined an engineering inspection and testing firm, E. L. Conwell & Co., in Philadelphia becoming a chief engineer in 1973 and officer in 1985. 

In 1965 he received an MS in structural engineering from Drexel University and became a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania. As a past president of the eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware chapters of the American Concrete Institute, he enjoyed mentoring engineering students who participated in competitions to test the strength of concrete beams. He worked until retirement as a senior engineer for Pennoni Associates, Inc., acquiring the moniker Doctor Concrete and Concrete Charlie among his associates. If a client sought free professional advice after hours about a menacing crack in their own concrete patio or pool, Donald was known to facetiously respond, “Put an aspirin in the crack and call me in the morning.” 

In 1995 Donald participated in a trip to China with the People to People ambassador program with engineers from around the world. He and his wife, Ellin, were avid travelers who visited Australia, Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Mexico, and Ecuador. He enjoyed Lehigh University football and wrestling, attending theater and Philadelphia orchestra concerts, discussing current events and playing bridge at the Quadrangle, a retirement community in Haverford, PA. His unwavering sense of responsibility, loyalty, integrity and sense of humor will be missed.

A memorial service will be announced later. Contributions in Donald’s memory may be made to Lehigh University, Development and Alumni Relations, 306 S. New Street, Suite 500, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1552 (give.lu/lead), please designate the Financial Aid and Scholarship Fund, or to the Macular Degeneration Association, P. O. Box 96162, Washington, DC 20090-6162, (macularhope.org) and click on the Donation Tab.

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