Biddle A. Whigham

Biddle A. Whigham, 90, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016, at Lancaster General Hospital. He was the husband of Patsy Ruth Whigham, his wife of 36 years. His first wife, Patricia Williamson Whigham, died in 1977. A descendant of early Scots-Irish settlers in Western Pennsylvania, he was born November 9, 1925 and raised in Pittsburgh, the son of the late William Whigham, Jr., and Elizabeth Arthurs Whigham. Biddle graduated from Shady Side Academy in 1943, and received a BSME degree from Lehigh University in 1948. At Lehigh he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In 1948 he started a 40-year career with the then Armstrong Cork Co. in Central Engineering as a Project Engineer, highlighted by a two-year assignment in charge of building a Floor Tile Plant in Munster, Germany. Moving into Manufacturing, he served as Plant Manager of the Pittsburgh Plant before being promoted to Director of Manufacturing in International Operations. In the same capacity he spent four years with the European Headquarters in London, England. He retired as General Manager, Engineering Design in 1988. A Navy veteran of both WWII and the Korean War, Biddle was proud of his service to his country. In 1943 as a high school graduate, he enlisted in the Navy, underwent Navy V-12 Officer Training at RPI, Troy, NY, and was commissioned in October 1945. He served on the light cruiser USS VINCENNES in the South Pacific, and was released from active duty in July 1946. He later authored the book “WWII – A Young Man’s Navy Experience.” Recalled to active duty in January 1951, he served two years aboard the heavy cruiser USS SALEM during which time the ship had two 6-month tours of duty as the 6th Fleet’s flagship in the Med. Remaining in the Naval Reserve, he completed 20 years of Navy service, retiring as LCDR in 1963. Since its formation in 1989, Biddle had an active leadership role in the USS Salem Association serving on the Executive Committee. For this and his many other contributions, the Association awarded him a “Lifetime Membership” in 1998. He authored and published two books about the SALEM: “The USS SALEM—The Ship and Her History” and “A SALEM Experience—Memories for a Lifetime.” Biddle was a strong believer in giving back to both his prep school and college for the education he received. For Shady Side Academy he served as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Board of Trustees. He was named “Alumnus of the Year” in 1970 and set up a scholarship in his name in 1996. As a Lehigh alumnus, he participated in many volunteer capacities, foremost of which were Editor of the Class of ’48 Newsletter, Class President, and General Reunion Chairman for the Class’s 50th Reunion, and for over 20 years he was Class Agent and Annual Fund volunteer. In1998 he was named “Volunteer of the Year” and received the coveted “Alumni Award.” Regarding financial support, he was an active participant and volunteer in all Lehigh Capital and Annual Fund Campaigns, a charter member of the Asa Packer and Tower Societies, and in 1990 established a scholarship in his name. In recognition of his contributions and volunteer efforts he was the honored recipient of Lehigh’s distinguished Eugene Grace and James Ward Packard Awards. For over 20 years Biddle was an active member of the Lancaster Chapter, Military Officers Association, served six years on the Chapter’s Board and as a member of several Chapter committees. His most significant contribution, however, was the leadership role he played with the “Adopt-A-Vet, Adopt-A-Kid” Program, one in which Chapter veterans interfaced with County upper-grade elementary students. He felt it important that the younger generations understand “freedom is not free” and veterans had sacrificed to give them the freedom they enjoy today. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Lancaster Co. Lehigh Alumni Club, Lancaster Historical Society, and former member of Hamilton Club. Also, he was a United Way and Junior Achievement Classroom Volunteer. In addition to writing, Biddle enjoyed travel, pursuing family genealogy, studying history of the WWII era, golf, and being an avid Lehigh and Steelers football fan. He loved his family and his country. Surviving in addition to his wife are son, John W. Whigham of Charlottesville, VA; daughter, Deborah Whigham, wife of Gary Ratway of Albion,CA; stepsons, Aubrey Furr of Boynton Beach, FL and Randy Furr of Baltimore, MD; stepdaughters, Cathey Hargrove, wife of Joseph Hargrove of Tuscaloosa, AL and Kelly Greene, wife of James Greene of Lake Worth, FL; sister, Mary Hargrave, wife of Richard Hargrave of Somers, NY; eight combined grandchildren; and 11 combined great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Whigham III. Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to attend Biddle’s memorial service on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke St., Lancaster PA 17602. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at a viewing at The Groffs Family Funeral Home, 528 West Orange St. (corner of Pine and Orange), Lancaster, PA 17603, and a visitation before the funeral service on Thursday at St. James Church from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Interment will be in the St. James Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Biddle’s name may be made to U.S.S. Salem Association, PO Box 493139, Leesburg, FL 34749-3139.