Born in Pottstown on December 30, 1921, Doug was a son of the late Clayton and Annie (Wiand) Bechtel. Doug was a 1939 graduate of Pottstown High School. He was inducted in the Army Air Corp, 468th Air Service Squadron on December 19, 1942. He proudly served our country during WWII in Belgium and England as a parachute rigger and repairman.
Doug was a faithful member of the Wyomissing Church of the Brethren. He was employed as a machine operator for the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. for 35 years until he retired.
He was known as an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. His family boasts that he made the best chili and potato salad! He was a great dancer and lover of music and often was singing, especially to his sweetheart.
In addition to his wife, Cora Jean; Doug is survived by his son, Douglass R. Bechtel, Jr. and his wife, Brenda of Reading; three daughters: Karen J. (Bechtel) Wright and her husband, Glenn "Skip" of Sugar Grove, OH, Kathy A. (Bechtel) Schrack and her husband, Michael of McAlisterville, PA and Cindy L. (Bechtel) Cooley and her husband, Herbert of Spring Hill, FL; 12 grandchildren, Cheryl, Bonnie, Duane, Kimberly, Todd, Jonathan, Benjamin, Laura, Jason, Amanda, Timothy and Karena; 24 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.
Doug is predeceased by his two brothers, Warden and Carl Bechtel and three sisters: Anna (Bechtel) Weidner, Lenora (Bechtel) Schwieters and Alice (Bechtel) Snyder.
Family and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 9am in Auman's Inc. Funeral Home, 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606. Graveside committal will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. The Celebration of Doug's Life will be at 11am in the Wyomissing Church of the Brethren, 2200 State Hill Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church in memory of Douglass R. Bechtel, Sr. at the Wyomissing Church of the Brethren, 2200 State Hill Rd., Reading, PA 19610.
Fond memories and online condolences may be made at www.AumansInc.com
