OBIT: Theodore R. ENGLEHART, Cpt., 1943, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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THEODORE R. ENGLEHART

Captain Theodore Englehart Accidental Casualty of War

Favorite Son of Meyersdale Fatally Wounded While Acting As Instructor in Army 
Maneuvers at Fort Benning, Georgia - His Tragic Death Mourned by This Entire 
Community - His Body Brought to His Mother's Home for Interment - Funeral Rites 
Wednesday Afternoon Largely Attended - First Gold Star Placed on Local Service 
Flag of This War in His Honor

  The accidental discharge of a machine gun at the close of the day's practice 
maneuvers was the cause of the death of Capt. Theodore R. Englehart at Ft. 
Benning, Ga., on Saturday, June 26, bringing to an untimely end the life and 
promising career of one of Meyersdale's finest young citizens, the first 
fatality among the more than 300 young men who have gone from this community 
into the armed forces of our country.
  Capt. Englehart, who was an instructor in infantry maneuvers, was with a group 
of fellow officers at the tables where machine guns were being brought in for 
inspection at the close of the problem maneuvers for the day, last Friday 
afternoon at about 5:30, when the accident occurred.
  One of the machine guns laid on a table was accidently discharged, (cause as 
yet not officially determined), the bullet penetrating Englehart's abdomen.  
First aid was rendered by Capt. W. A. Drowns, a close friend and fellow officer, 
who was standing nearby.  The wounded man was rushed as soon as possible to the 
Ft. Benning base hospital where, in spite of all that surgeons could do, he 
passed away Saturday morning about 5 o'clock.

Eldest of Family of Five

  Capt. Theodore Roosevelt Englehart was born in Meyersdale, Sept. 23, 1917, and 
at the time of his death was aged 25 years, 9 months and 3 days.  He was the son 
of Alvin C. Englehart, who passed away in 1939, and Josephine Browning 
Englehart, who survives.  He is also survived by three sisters: Ruth (Mrs. Frank 
Hussey Jr.), Eloise and Lois, and one brother, William, the latter the youngest 
of the family of which Capt. Ted was the oldest.
  He was a great-great-grandson of Meshack Browning, famous pioneer hunter of 
Garrett County, Md.

Mourned by Entire Community

  The body arrived in Meyersdale Monday afternoon at 2:29, accompanied by Capt. 
Drowns as military escort.  After its arrival at the Englehart home on High 
Street, many admirers of the young man, his life long friends and friends of the 
family called to express their sorrow and sympathy, for the entire community 
mourns his tragic and untimely death.
  At noon, Wednesday, the casket containing his mortal remains was moved from 
the family home to Zion Lutheran Church, where the body lay in state until the 
hour of the funeral service, 2 o'clock p.m.
  Many beautiful floral pieces surrounded the casket, bespeaking the love and 
esteem of many friends and groups with which the deceased officer was connected.  
All Meyersdale business places were closed and flags were flown at half-mast 
while obsequies were being observed.

Funeral Services

  The pastor, Rev. Dr. R. M. Dunkleberger conducted the simple but impressive 
service, and paid a fitting tribute to the young soldier's life and fine 
Christian character, emphasising his readiness for death at even so young an 
age, because he had "fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the 
faith."  The pastor said: "I know of no young man who has gone out better 
prepared, nor none more worthy of the honor to have the first gold star placed 
on the service flag of this congregation."
  The honorable minister then called on Capt. W. A. Drowns, of St. Joseph, Mo., 
a close friend and comrade of Capt. Englehart, and who was at his side when he 
was fatally wounded and acted as the military escort to Meyersdale, to pin the 
gold star on the service flag which hung on the wall of the chanetuary, near the 
chancel.  Capt. Drowns pinned the precious emblem in the midst of the galaxy of 
blue stars on the flag, while the large audience looked on with reverent 
approval.  
  Then followed the benediction and the funeral procession to Union Cemetery 
where the body was committed to the grave in the Englehart family lot with 
military rites conducted by a guard of honor of Charles E. Kelly Post, American 
Legion.
  The pall-bearers were Capt. W. P. Cover, Burgess John H. Cover, Attorney Frank 
Lucente, Barron Walker Shipley, Clarence Horning and Edward Walker, all co-
workers with Ted Englehart when he was president of the Meyersdale Junior 
Chamber of Commerce.  Honorary pall-bearers were members of Zion Lutheran Church 
Council.
  Mortician H. R. Konhaus had charge of the funeral arrangements.
  Amomg the relatives who came from a distance to be with Mrs. Englehart and her 
family the day of the funeral were Mrs. Elwood Englehart, Richmond, Va.; Mr. and 
Mrs. Sol B. Litman and children and Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman, Uniontown; Mrs. 
Mary Savage, Baltimore; and Mrs. Frank Hussey Sr., Oil City.  A group of 
Englehart's fraternity brothers in Phi Sigma Cappa at Gettysburg College also 
attended the obsequies, as did many other friends and relatives from Garrett 
County, Md., and elsewhere.

Favorite of Home Town

  Theodore Englehart, a favorite son of his home community, gave promise of 
being one of its business and civic leaders.  In fact in the short period 
between his graduation from college when he took up the work of his father as 
sales manager of the J. M. Cook Candy Co., until he entered the United States 
Army, his influence was already felt.  He served as president of the newly 
organized J.C.'s and was elected to the Town Council, the youngest man ever to 
have that honor.  He attended but one session of the council after taking the 
oath of office, then resigned on account of his induction for military service.
  A life member and faithful attendant and active worker of Zion Lutheran 
Church, he was chosen as a member of the Church Council.  His fine Christian 
character and leadership abilities placed him in the high esteem of all with 
whom he came in contact.  He was an outstanding student at Gettysburg College 
from which he was graduated in 1940, and after having entered the armed forces 
of his country he advanced rapidly in rank, and commanded the respect and love 
of all with whom he worked.
  He was a member of the R.O.T.C. during the four years of his college course 
and at graduation received the commission of second lieutenant as a reserve 
officer.  In December, 1941, a few days before Christmas, he received his call 
to active service in the U.S. Army.  Later he was advanced to first lieutenant, 
and last March, when he was coming home for his first long furlough, his 
commanding officer delayed his departure in order to present him with a 
captain's insignia.

Appreciated Cooperation

  Mrs. A. C. Englehart and family, H. R. Konhaus, undertaker and the community 
in general greatly appreciate the splendid cooperation and help of Capt. W. A. 
Drowns, who accompanied the body of his fellow officer, Capt. Englehart, here 
from Ft. Benning as military escort, and remained until after the funeral.  
Because of his friendship with Ted Englehart and his having been present when 
the fatal accident occurred, he was able to bring special comfort and 
understanding to the bereaved family and friends, while sharing in their grief.  
He assisted in the arrangements for the funeral and cooperated with the American 
Legion in the military rites.
  Following the interment Capt. Drowns presented Mrs. Englehart with a beautiful 
American flag in the name of the United States Government, in honor of her son's 
loyalty, service and sacrifice.

Meyersdale Republican, July 1, 1943