Obituaries
James R. “Jim” Miltenberger age 87, died August 14, 2024, at his home in Moravian Village, Bethlehem. Jim was born September 6, 1936, in Johnstown PA, to the late Omar W. and Nelle Pensyl Miltenberger. He was married to his bride Nancy for 59 years last May.
He graduated from Penn State with a degree in civil engineering and after being commissioned as an ensign, spent over 20 years on active duty in the Navy. Jim started on a destroyer and then moved to the submarine service. Later, he was selected to participate in Admiral Rickover’s elite nuclear submarine program. Jim served on five submarines, with his last sea duty as commanding officer of the USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN 635).
He earned a master’s degree from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was a licensed professional engineer. Jim was one of those fortunate people who enjoyed challenging and fascinating work throughout his career. After retiring from the Navy at the rank of Commander, Jim joined the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company in 1981 as the Nuclear Safety Assessment Manager. He sat on several nuclear safety review committees and presented numerous technical papers to professional organizations. Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, he visited the Kursk nuclear power station in Russia as part of a technology exchange.
An avid skier since boyhood, Jim skied many of the principal resorts of North America and Europe, and was a season pass holder at Blue Mountain for decades. He was a dedicated bicyclist, an enthusiastic tennis player, and an expert small boat sailor. He took up golf at age 70 and spent his remaining years struggling to break 100. Jim was a studious person who read widely.
After retirement, he enjoyed giving lectures on historical topics to the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Cedar Crest College. He was an active participant in the Tuesday morning discussions of Charlie’s Round Table at Muhlenberg College. Jim participated in the West Allentown Kiwanis Club, serving as President, Treasurer, and Secretary over the years. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Theta Xi social fraternity and Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi academic honor societies. He was an Eagle Scout.
Survivors include wife Nancy (Lunsford) Miltenberger, son Bill Miltenberger and daughter Sheri Miltenberger, grandsons James, Thomas, and Daniel, brothers Arthur Miltenberger (Marie) and Robert Miltenberger (Rachael), and “Lucky,” a recently adopted rescue dog.
The family would like to thank St Luke’s Hospice for the tender and compassionate care Jim received at the end of his life.
A memorial service will take place at 11am Saturday August 31, 2024, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1533 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104. There will be a calling period prior to the service from 9:30-11am at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or St. Luke's Hospice. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to handle the arrangements.
Previous Events
Visitation
31
Aug
1533 Springhouse Road
Allentown, PA 18104
Funeral Service
31
Aug
1533 Springhouse Road
Allentown, PA 18104
