It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brothers Clarence “Cy” Fahnestock ’51 and William Bowers ’69, into Chapter Eternal. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to their family, friends, and loved ones. They will be deeply missed. View their obituaries below.
Clarence “Cy” Fahnestock ’51
Clarence R. “Cy” Fahnestock, 95, of Peoria, IL and formerly of Washington, IL passed away peacefully at his home in Lutheran Hillside Village at 6:01 am, Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Born on October 2,1925 on the family farm in Manheim, PA to Clarence D. and Grace Rudy Fahnestock, he married Kathleen “Kay” Robb on July 12, 1952 in New Bloomfield, PA. She survives. They enjoyed over 68 years of life together.
Also surviving are two daughters: Catherine (Phillip) Nixon of Mundelein, IL and Jennifer (Brian) Lancaster of Alpharetta, GA and five grandchildren, Stephanie (Jacob) Stoll of Chicago, Christina (Chad) Horton of Boca Raton, FL, Bradley Nixon of New Haven, CT, Grant (Olivia) Lancaster of Sandy Springs, GA, and Brie Lancaster of Sandy Springs, GA, and one great-granddaughter, Carter Horton. One brother, Luke Fahnestock, and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Cy served with the US Eighth Army Commanding General’s Military Police Unit in Japan.
He earned his BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1951 and 1952. An officer of Alpha Zeta fraternity, he also was a charter member of the Penn State Coaly Society, staff writer and editor of several campus publications and was listed in “Who’s in the News at Penn State.”
Prior to entering the full-time work force, Cy had a variety of job experiences including custom harvesting crewman, iron foundry worker, chocolate processor, longshoreman in Valdez, AK, and surveyor and roadside construction crewman on the Alaskan Highway. Following a period with Doane Agricultural Service in St. Louis, he joined the US Department of Agriculture at the Experimental Station in Palmer, Alaska and the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. In 1955, Cy started working at Caterpillar Tractor Co, Inc. at the Proving Grounds in Peoria. He moved from there into various research development and marketing positions, retiring in 1987 after 32 years with the company.
Cy had been a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and Society of Automotive Engineers. He served as the president of the Washington Grade School District #52 School Board and of the Washington United Fund Board, and was a member of the Washington Toastmasters Club. He was also a proud member of the Penn State Alumni Association.
A member of the Washington Presbyterian Church since 1956, Cy served a number of terms as elder and member of Session, including terms as Stated Clerk and Treasurer. He also volunteered at Proctor Hospital for 10 years.
Cy enjoyed many different hobbies: hiking, RVing, traveling internationally, golfing, bowling, square dancing, and playing bridge. He also gardened into his 90’s. He was a loyal fan of the Nittany Lions at Penn State where he was introduced to Kay in 1948.
Cy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be greatly missed.
After a family graveside burial at Glendale Cemetery in Washington, visitation will be held from 2-3 pm Saturday June 5 at the Washington Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 pm, with Rev. Dr. Linda Philabaun officiating. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington are assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Lutheran HIllside Village Endowment Fund, or to ChildFund.org.
William Bowers ’69
William J. Bowers, age 73, passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021.
Bill was born on November 27, 1947 in Somerset, son of the late J. William and Ruth A. (Trimpey) Bowers. He graduated from Lewistown HS and went on to the Pennsylvania State University earning a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1969, where he was a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity, an honorary, professional society for students and industry professionals in the agriculture and natural resources fields. Bill worked for the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) for 40 years, holding positions such as Project Engineer, Area Engineer, and State Conservation Engineer. Bill has been a Professional Engineer since 1982. He was honored with an Outstanding Alumnus College of Agricultural Sciences Award in 1999. Bill also participated in and served as president of NABEC and NRCS retirees.
Bill was predeceased in death by his brother, Donald Bowers of Indiana, PA. Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Kauffman), of 52 years, married in Mt Joy on November 23, 1969. He is also survived by his two daughters, Susan Pochet (Marc) of Royersford PA, and Amy Bowers (Casey Williams) of Albuquerque NM. Proud grandfather of two grandchildren, Emily Pochet of Lancaster and Ben Pochet of Philadelphia. Sister-in-law, Susan Bowers of Indiana PA, niece Heather Wivell (Dennis) of Tanneytown MD and nephew, Ryan Bowers of Archbald.
Family was at the core of Bill’s life. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as PawPaw. He enjoyed watching Emily dance and golf and Ben compete in golf tournaments and other sporting events. Bill and Mary Ann enjoyed travelling to visit Amy in NY, TX, and NM. He especially loved planning the yearly family vacation where the entire family would gather and spend a week together in many interesting locations including Deep Creek, Bar Harbor, San Francisco, and Iceland. Bill and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling throughout the Northeast to attend NABEC every summer and renewing friendships. He also loved visiting with family at our yearly reunion.
A passion of his life was service to his faith. Bill was a dedicated member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, since 1981, where he served as chair of Governing Council, financial team, other committees, choir and coach of the youth volleyball team for 27 years where he was known as “Mr. Bill”. He sang bass with the Mechanicsburg Ecumenical Choir for many years.
After retiring in 2008, Bill was able to dedicate himself to one of his true passions, gardening. Bill was in the Penn State Master Gardener Class of 2010 of Cumberland County. He was an active member on numerous committees including the Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden, Allen Road Gardens and Plant Clinic at the Fredricksen Library, as well as made notable past contributions to the Trial & Idea Gardens, Youth Committee programs and Garden Tour. He was also passionate about bluebirds for the last 40 years and was always willing to share information, give presentations, and would often give away bluebird houses.
Bill was a life-long fan of baseball (Pirates), Penn State Football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and ping pong (family champion). He especially loved going to Pirates games once a year with a group of friends he lovingly called the “six old guys with glasses” group.
A visitation will be held at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 4685 Mt Zion Dr, Enola, PA 17025, Monday, November 22 from Noon to 2pm, which will be immediately followed by a Memorial Service at 2pm. Friends and family are welcome. Masks required.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church to establish a Prayer Garden or to the Penn State Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center (Att. Teah Batdorf), 500 University Drive CH 74, Hershey, PA 17033.
Sources Courtesy of Deiters Funeral Home and Sullivan Funeral Home