Obituaries
Obituary for Alvin Newton Bugbee
Alvin Newton Bugbee, Jr., 90, passed away in his Catasauqua home on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Born in Trenton, N.J. on February 11, 1923, he was the son of Alvin Newton Bugbee and Helen Horn of Catasauqua. He graduated from Catasauqua High School (1940) and then Lehigh University (Class of ‘44) with a B.S. in civil engineering. He followed in his father’s footsteps in a career in engineering and heavy construction, progressing from laborer and truck driver to project manager and chief engineer for A. Newton Bugbee, Inc., Newton Constructors, and Rees Weaver Construction. His education was interrupted by service in World War II when Lehigh’s Infantry ROTC was called to active duty in June of 1943. He graduated from Infantry OCS in July of 1943 and was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 70th Infantry Division where he served as Weapons Platoon Leader and later as Battalion Motor Officer. He fought in the battles of Ardennes –Alsace, The Battle of the Bulge opposing the German Operation Nordwind, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, and the ETO ribbon with three battle stars, the European Theater Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Victory Medal, and the French Cross of Lorraine. He visited Buchenwald Concentration Camp within a week of its liberation and bore witness to the Holocaust. After the German surrender he was with the third group in the occupation of Berlin. Eventually, he transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1947 after five years of service. Throughout his life he was an active member of the Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Post 215, and the 70th Division Association. Newt was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Monica (Hefele) Bugbee on October 28, 2012 after 63 years of marriage, and his sister Helen Elizabeth Bugbee in 1986. He is survived by 6 children , 14 grandchildren, and one great grandson. They are: Barbara Kauffman, wife of Thomas Kauffman of Medina, Ohio and their children Thomas, Elizabeth, and Jacqueline; Victoria Bugbee, wife of George Warren of Hastings On Hudson, New York, and their children Georgia, Dylan, and Tessa; Newton Bugbee and wife Kathleen (Fisher) Bugbee of Wilmington, Del. and their daughters Megan and Laura; Thomas Bugbee of Catasauqua and his children Olivia, Alex, and Monica; James Bugbee and wife Connie (Woodring) Bugbee of Walnutport, and their sons, Eric and Michael, and Eric’s son Collin; and Peter Bugbee and wife Susan Lozada of Coplay and their daughter Teofila. Newt was interested in local history and served on the Board of the Lehigh County Historical Society for many years and one term as president. He played an active role in the restoration of the Troxell Steckel House and Barn, Trout Hall, and the George Taylor Home. Following in the civic-minded tradition of his forebears in the Horn, Heller, and Thomas families, Newt was active in organizations to serve the public good. He served as a member or chairman of the Board of Directors of Lehigh Valley Contractors Association, Laborers’ Health and Welfare Board, the Catasauqua Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh University Class of ’44, and the Catasauqua Bicentennial Committee. All who knew them will miss Monica and Newt. Funeral services will be on Friday, May 24, 10:00 a.m. at Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc., 234 Walnut St., Catasauqua, PA. 18032. Call Thursday evening 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday at the funeral home from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the charity of your choice.
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