R. Harding Breithaupt, of Keystone Villa, Douglassville and formerly of Reiffton, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2015 at home. He was the husband of Erna (Boettcher) Breithaupt, with whom he shared 71 years of marriage.
“Breity”, as he was widely known, was born April 14, 1917 in Dunmore, PA, the son of Viola (Gustoffson) and Jacob Breithaupt. The family later settled in Mt. Penn, PA.
At a very early age, Breity had a burning desire to fly and in fact as a 13 year old, built and flew his own “contraption” glider.
After graduating from Mt. Penn High School, he learned to fly and became one of the first licensed flight instructors in the region.
A flight instructor at the Brooks McElroy Flying Service, Breity raised capital and together with a partner, Sime Bertolet, bought the company when McElroy joined the WWII effort. They named the new enterprise Reading Aviation Service.
The business was interrupted when both men also joined the military service, but resumed at wars’ end with McElroy joining them as a partner.
Breity was commissioned to the U.S. Army Air Corps as a lieutenant and designated as a pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command. He ferried a wide variety of aircraft to units where they were needed at bases in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and to the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. He was assigned to Homestead Air Base in Florida and graduated from four engine training school, checking out in DC-4 transports. Subsequently he served as an instrument flight instructor and check-pilot for the A.T.C. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain.
Reuniting with McElroy and Bertolet, Breity as vice president of sales, helped guide the company into a formidable aviation concern known nationwide for its stellar services. Their annual maintenance and operations meeting, a trade show, with its aerobatic performances, became known as “The Reading Airshow” which grew in size and scope to eventually rival the bi-annual Paris Air Show. Reading Aviation Service spawned the Reading Airlines, becoming Suburban Airlines with Breity named Chairman of the Board in 1978. In 1988 the airline was sold to U.S. Air.
The Dutch Colony Inn, Exeter Twp. was built by Breity and his wife Erna in 1964. In 1967, Breity decided to grace the restaurant with his prized possession, a rebuilt 1927 Veily Monocoupe which was hung from the ceiling rafters. It became the “Antique Airplane Restaurant”, enjoyed by many patrons over many years. In 1987, the business transferred to daughter Jamie and her husband Ken, so continued in the family. Nonetheless, in 2007, the motel and restaurant made way for the Exeter Commons Shopping Center.
Breity was an early and lifetime member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, The Wings Club of New York City and the Quiet Birdmen of America. He also served as chairman of the Berks County Planning Commission in the 1970’s.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children: Susan, wife of Scott Doll, Nancy Breithaupt and Jamie wife of Ken Wagner. There are five grandchildren; Leslie Maillie, Matthew Doll, Alexandra Clark, Kady Sealock and Carrie Wagner. Also there are four great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Ella, Madeline and Ashley.
The family expresses deep appreciation to Breity’s caregivers for his excellent care, with a special “Thank You” to Nancy Pezzino for her tireless devotion and loving care.
Visitation with the family will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. with services following at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 in the Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. Mt. Penn. Interment in Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Golden Age Air Museum 371 Airport Road Bethel, PA 19507 or you may make a donation to a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com
“Breity”, as he was widely known, was born April 14, 1917 in Dunmore, PA, the son of Viola (Gustoffson) and Jacob Breithaupt. The family later settled in Mt. Penn, PA.
At a very early age, Breity had a burning desire to fly and in fact as a 13 year old, built and flew his own “contraption” glider.
After graduating from Mt. Penn High School, he learned to fly and became one of the first licensed flight instructors in the region.
A flight instructor at the Brooks McElroy Flying Service, Breity raised capital and together with a partner, Sime Bertolet, bought the company when McElroy joined the WWII effort. They named the new enterprise Reading Aviation Service.
The business was interrupted when both men also joined the military service, but resumed at wars’ end with McElroy joining them as a partner.
Breity was commissioned to the U.S. Army Air Corps as a lieutenant and designated as a pilot assigned to the Air Transport Command. He ferried a wide variety of aircraft to units where they were needed at bases in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and to the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. He was assigned to Homestead Air Base in Florida and graduated from four engine training school, checking out in DC-4 transports. Subsequently he served as an instrument flight instructor and check-pilot for the A.T.C. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain.
Reuniting with McElroy and Bertolet, Breity as vice president of sales, helped guide the company into a formidable aviation concern known nationwide for its stellar services. Their annual maintenance and operations meeting, a trade show, with its aerobatic performances, became known as “The Reading Airshow” which grew in size and scope to eventually rival the bi-annual Paris Air Show. Reading Aviation Service spawned the Reading Airlines, becoming Suburban Airlines with Breity named Chairman of the Board in 1978. In 1988 the airline was sold to U.S. Air.
The Dutch Colony Inn, Exeter Twp. was built by Breity and his wife Erna in 1964. In 1967, Breity decided to grace the restaurant with his prized possession, a rebuilt 1927 Veily Monocoupe which was hung from the ceiling rafters. It became the “Antique Airplane Restaurant”, enjoyed by many patrons over many years. In 1987, the business transferred to daughter Jamie and her husband Ken, so continued in the family. Nonetheless, in 2007, the motel and restaurant made way for the Exeter Commons Shopping Center.
Breity was an early and lifetime member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, The Wings Club of New York City and the Quiet Birdmen of America. He also served as chairman of the Berks County Planning Commission in the 1970’s.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children: Susan, wife of Scott Doll, Nancy Breithaupt and Jamie wife of Ken Wagner. There are five grandchildren; Leslie Maillie, Matthew Doll, Alexandra Clark, Kady Sealock and Carrie Wagner. Also there are four great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Ella, Madeline and Ashley.
The family expresses deep appreciation to Breity’s caregivers for his excellent care, with a special “Thank You” to Nancy Pezzino for her tireless devotion and loving care.
Visitation with the family will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. with services following at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 in the Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. Mt. Penn. Interment in Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Golden Age Air Museum 371 Airport Road Bethel, PA 19507 or you may make a donation to a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com
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