Death of Longtime Member Eli Lambert

Eli D. Lambert Jr. 92, a retired Civil Engineer and Professional Engineer from Catasauqua, PA. passed away peacefully on January 20th, 2021 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital from complications related to the Covid Virus. He was married to Lucille (Hudsco) Lambert, the love of his life, who passed away in 2009. He married Lucille in August 1953 and spent 55 years happily married to her.

Eli was a graduate of the Catasauqua High School Class of 1946 and was a 1950 graduate of Lafayette College with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Eli's first job as an engineer was working for Greiner Construction Company on the southern portion of the New Jersey Turnpike. He spent the next 40 years working at the Fuller Company in Catasauqua, PA. His many assignments for Fuller included Chief Engineer of Greer Marine; Catasauqua Plant Manager; Assistant Manager of the Allentown Plant; Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Chief Engineer of Plant Engineering. He retired in 1990.

Eli was a dedicated member of St Paul's Lutheran Church where he served many years on church council and the financial committee. He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable of Eastern PA.. He served on the Catasauqua Borough Council in the 1950's and again in the 1970's. He was a member of the Catasauqua Exchange Club for over 50 years and was a recipient of the prestigious Good Deed Award. He was a loyal supporter of the Catasauqua Rough Riders and Lafayette College sports.

Eli was born in Allentown, PA in 1928 to the late Eli and Evelyn (Wolf) Lambert. He is survived by his children, Jane Lambert of St. George Utah, E. David Lambert III husband of Cecilia Gervasi of Richboro, PA. and Lisa Kirchner wife of Albert Kirchner of Annapolis MD; grandchildren Mathew McArdle, Eric Lambert, Gretchen Lambert, and sister Paulina Tyson of Duxbury MA. Eli was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Lambert in 2008.

The viewing will be private at Brubaker Funeral Home, Chestnut St., Coplay, PA. followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery. A memorial service will be scheduled later in the year to be determined. Online condolences for the family may be recorded at www.brubakerfuneralhome.com

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 604 4th Street Catasauqua, PA 18032.

Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua, PA. is entrusted with arrangements.

Published in Morning Call on Jan. 24, 2021.

From the Brigade Commander - February

From the Brigade Commander

A belated, but nonetheless heartfelt Happy New Year to you all!

Last month, during the third meeting of Campaign 43, we heard an alternative history account of the Battle of Antietam, shared by speaker Gene Schmiel, author of “Lincoln, Antietam, and the Northern Lost Cause.” The book’s point of divergence centers on timing and execution: Had every move been executed well and the timing for each move been just right, the American Civil War would have ended at Antietam. Obviously, this was not to be. But, that’s the fun of speculating about history.

During our February program (scheduled for February 2), we’ll hear about Confederate efforts to recapture key coastal positions in North Carolina. Look inside for more details, including instructions for signing up for the “virtual” (Zoom) meeting. Our attendance is holding steady, but we’d love to see and hear from more of you. And so, I hope you will join me for an evening of “alternative fellowship” and discovery.

We are slowly creeping up in terms of Campaign 43 membership renewals, and I’m grateful to those who have already renewed. You’ll find additional “by the numbers” updates inside. Remember that your membership dollars help fund the informative and diverse programming we bring you each month. And, although we can’t be together, we can still enjoy the fellowship that comes from seeing each other, even if only in a virtual way.

BARRY

"WHAT IF... ??" - Would there have been a Union "Lost Cause"?

Gene Schmiel presented an interesting topic based on the conjecture, “What if, even after the Union had won the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery had remained legal in the United States?”

He described how one changed decision at the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, could have created a "Civil War butterfly effect" and irrevocably changed American history.

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation gave Confederate states one more chance to re-join the Union, whether or not they abolished slavery. The presentation explained how, as a result, slavery might not have ended despite a Union victory.

The failure to abolish slavery would have become "the Northern lost cause". Abolitionists and black leaders would be bitter that despite the bloodshed, victory had not brought the cherished goal of slavery.

An interesting evening.

A gallery of photos is posted below, including many with headlines that are not historical, but in the spirit of the evening, “What if…?”

Death of CWRT Member Leonard French, Sr.

Leonard J. French Sr., 74, of Lower Saucon Twp. died Sunday, December 27, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. He is the husband of Diane C. (Burg) French. Len was born in Clark, NJ on February 20, 1946 to the late William A. and Mary A. (Paulikus) French. He was an owner/operator of AB Tube, Allentown which was a manufacturer of Small Diameter Stainless Steel Tubing.

He was a Proctor for 18 years at SV School District and Athletic Manager at the SV High School and co-chairman of the SV High School Student Government Association. Len was faith-filled member of First United Church, Hellertown and Deacon at the church. A graduate of Arthur J. Johnson Regional High School, Clark, NJ where he was a center for the football team and made All-County. Len is a graduate of Somerset County College Welding Program. He was also an equipment manager for the Greater Bethlehem Soccer League for 10 years; an active Boy Scout Leader Troup 349; served on the Eagle Scout Review Committee. One of Len's proudest moments was when his son became an Eagle Scout.

SURVIVORS: In addition to loving wife of 50 years last March; son: Leonard J. Jr. (Kayleigh) of Luxembourg; 2 granddogs: Ilsa & Niko; brother: Richard C. (Barbara) of Laguna Hills, CA. Predeceased by brother: William A.

SERVICE: Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Len has requested no services. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at: www.heintzelmancares.com. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. – Hellertown.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorials to the General Fund of the First United Church of Christ, 501 Northampton St. Hellertown, PA 18055.

Death of CWRT Member Claude Kohl, Jr.

Claude E. Kohl, Jr., died on New Year's Day after a long illness. He was born on April 7, 1932 to Claude E. and Edna (Woodland) Kohl He was married to Lenore (Carlier) Kohl and to the late Annabelle (Weaver) Kohl. Claude was a graduate of Allentown H.S., class of 1950. He was also a graduate of the first Fire Science class of Northampton CCC. He later served as an Adjunct Professor and taught Fire Science classes at NCCC. He taught many fire chiefs in the Lehigh Valley. Claude was a member of the Allentown Fire Department for 35 years rising through the ranks to Asst. Chief when he retired in 1994. He was a former member of the Governor's Safety Council and was a member of several safety committees, including LEPC and LCTI. Claude was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, where he served as a Crypto Analytics Specialist and translated Russian and Chinese codes. He was a member of American Legion Post #576, Allentown. Claude was a member of the Boy Scouts for 75 years. He was an Eagle Scout who was honored to be named Alumnus of the Year by Minsi Trails Council in 2016 and NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout in 2018. He was a founding member of the Burn Prevention Network and served on its Executive Board for many years. Claude was active in the PTA locally and was elected PA State President in 1988 and served on the National Board of Managers for two years. He was a member of Emmanuel U.C.C., Allentown serving on the Consistory and several committees. Claude was a former member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Allentown, where he was a Council President. He worked part-time for the Allentown School District.

Claude is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lenore, as well as his three children, Claude E. Kohl III and wife Tracy of Allentown, Laurie Christman and husband Rodney of Lehigh Township and Sherri Marks and husband Earl of Jacksonville, FL. Five grandchildren, Caitlin Kohl, Elizabeth Kohl, Chelsea Kohl, and Rodney, Jr. and William Christman. He is also survived by brothers Rev. Richard Kohl (Mary), Summerville, SC, Dr. John Kohl (Nancy), St. George, Utah and sister Cindy Kohl, Willow Street, PA and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life will be held when a gathering is safe. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., www.stephensfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Minsi Trails Council (Boy Scouts of America), 991 Postal Rd, Allentown PA 18109 or Burn Prevention Network, 236 N. 17th St, Allentown PA 18104

From the Brigade Commander ~ January 2021

From the Brigade Commander

Earlier this month, we hosted the second meeting of our 43rd Campaign. Ron Kirkwood, a retired journalist and Gettysburg Foundation guide at the George Spangle Farm Civil War Hospital, revealed the many critical roles that the Spangler Farm played during the Battle of Gettysburg: A Union command center, a communications hub, an artillery reserve and a field hospital. Knowing most CWRT members hail from the greater Lehigh Valley area, he also incorporated stories about members of the 153rd PVI who fought at Gettysburg—something that greatly touched my heart. Attendance for the December meeting was 26, a slight increase over November. My thanks to those who joined us.

Thanks also to Bob McHugh and Laura Kleinschmidt for their efforts to find speakers that share interesting, informative Civil War tales from varied perspectives.

We began Campaign 43 by hosting a preeminent authority on Philadelphia history who spoke about a little-known document of great historic importance—and the man who wrote it. We then followed with a speaker whose talk strongly hinted at his journalism background. On January 5th, we’ll hear from a former U.S. Department of State officer who began his adult life as a student of 19th century history. Look inside for details about our January lecturer, his lecture topic, and meeting signup instructions.

If you’re like me, you’re more than ready to move to a new year but, unfortunately, the pandemic is going to follow us. And so, for the foreseeable future, we’ll continue meeting virtually.

With the holiday season now here, and from all of us here at the Round Table, best wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe. Be smart. Happy New Year!

Barry Arnold

Invitation to participate in the January 5th Zoom Presentation

Hello and a Merry Christmas to you and yours and a Happy and hopefully healthier New Year.

Time again to encourage all to participate in the January 5th Zoom meeting of the CWRT of Eastern PA. Hopefully, I will be able to manage things better this time.

I will be sending out the "invitations" to the 1/5/21 meeting on 12/27/20 and will be requesting a reminder e-mail blast on 1/3/21.If you want to participate in the meeting, please contact me at Duffysocwk@aol.com so I can forward the "invitation" to you.

When you get the "invitation", note that there is a line called "Join Zoom Meeting". On 1/5/21, you can click on that and should be able to get into the meeting. I would suggest that you write down the Meeting ID Number and the Passcode as you will be asked to put these into the prompts that will come up. Also, you will see a page that says "join with video and audio" or "join with audio only" Click on the one you prefer.

Also near the bottom of the "invitation", it will say find local number if you just want to listen in over the phone. There are other numbers listed but these will be from out of the area - choose the one closest to the Lehigh Valley.

Thanks, stay safe and see you on 1/5/21 at 7PM.

Jim Duffy
Duffysocwk@aol.com

Photos from Spangler Farm Presentation on Dec 1st

On December 1st we were enlightened by a presentation on the importance of the Spangler Farm during and after the Battle of Gettysburg. Troops and Equipment were staged and deployed from this large farm, and then the farm became a major military hospital treating over a thousand soldiers in the days during and after the July 1-3 1863 battle.

We thank Ron Kirkwood for his willingness to share his presentation, and encourage you to purchase his book… (Amazon link)

Photos from his presentation (and book) are below

Sudden death of January Speaker Jim Del Giudice

James “Jim” Del Giudice, of Basking Ridge passed away suddenly of natural causes on September 15, 2020 at the age of 62. We send our sympathies and condolences to his wife and family. We will be announcing a replacement speaker when one is secured.

Jim was born in Morristown on February 17, 1958, during the great blizzard of 1958, to the late James and Amalia Del Giudice. He was raised in Morristown with his sister and graduated from Bayley Ellard High School in Madison. Jim was a very vivacious young man who was involved in many high school groups and activities, specifically the theater. After high school, Jim went on to begin his formal education in journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

Jim had a lifelong fascination with both photography and history. He was a true renaissance man in every sense in that he had many fields of expertise of which he had acquired knowledge to an expert level. Jim was a professional photographer and he had a vast and prolific body of work, specifically photo essays based on historic subjects and landscapes throughout the state of New Jersey. Jim had vast knowledge of Revolutionary War history throughout Morris County. He was adjunct professor of history and photography at Morris County College, and presented his historical subjects to various groups, schools & businesses. He was also a talented writer who published multiple articles and several locally performed plays. Jim most recently developed a livestream-based format for his programs which were gaining great popularity.

Jim was an avid traveler, loved movies, music, the theater, and golf. He was a man that could fix anything and everything, and he loved his family deeply. His sharp sense of humor was appreciated by everyone who knew him. Jim will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sanja Bacic; his sister, Mary Lou Pinizzotto; one nephew, Paul Pinizzotto; one niece, Kristen O’Shea; a great nephew, Dylan O’ Shea; and many dear friends, colleagues and students of history.

Jim was laid to rest with his parents at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Madison in a private family gathering. A celebration of Jim’s life for all to attend will be held at a future date. Arrangements are in the care of Madison Memorial Home.

From the Brigade Commander ~ December 2020

Now that COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing and vaccine availability to the masses is still many months away, the likelihood of in-person meetings any time soon seems remote. But not all the news is bad. Just last Monday evening, we bravely marched into the 21st century, with Jim Duffy taking the point, and held our first-ever virtual meeting to hear about the life and times of James Tanner, a disabled Civil War

Of course, a virtual meeting is not the same as having everyone in the same room. But it was still great to be able to see folks again and hear their voices. Our next meeting will take place on December 1st; take a look inside for an outline of the lecture, background information about the speaker, and meeting sign-up instructions. If you’re wary of using internet tools, please remember that you can choose to listen in to the meetings by telephone.

I want to thank those who have re-enlisted for Campaign 43 and/or supported our Campaign 43 preservation efforts through print raffle ticket purchases, cash donations, or both. Like the pandemic, the fight to preserve battlefield acreage and ensure continued operation of institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Civil War rages on. Your continued financial support of the CWRT of Eastern Pa. will also fund continued, enjoyable learning experiences that help us to grow our understanding of the American Civil War.