Peter Rittenhouse Gyllenhaal

Peter was born to Leonard Ephraim Gyllenhaal and Philo Pendleton Gyllenhaal in Bryn Athyn, PA on May 2nd, 1927. He was one of six brothers and sisters in a tight-knit family including, Harriet, Leonard, Hugh, Charles, Anne and Eileen, all of whom have predeceased him. Peter is survived by his wife Marion of sixty-eight (68) years, his children Pamela Reinprecht, Dennis Gyllenhaal and Wayne Gyllenhaal, and his grandchildren Evan Gyllenhaal, Ian Reinprecht, Wade Gyllenhaal and Megan Reinprecht, Esq. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Ellie and Parker Gyllenhaal.

Peter enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a Seaman First Class aboard the Escort Carrier U.S.S. Cape Gloucester (CVE-109) at the end of the war in the Pacific. After his service in WWII, Peter used the G.I. Bill to further his education by completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Electrical and Systems Engineering in 1954 at the University of Pennsylvania.

Peter began his professional career in 1955 at General Electric, where he worked on the Atlas project. In 1957 he began work at RCA on the BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System) project, which later became NORAD (North American Air Defense Command). He continued to work for RCA and later GE for 30 years on government and military contracts, including the AEGIS weapons system for the Navy until he retired in 1989. Peter then continued to contract his services back to GE on the AEGIS project for another six years.

After retiring from GE, Peter worked for the Bryn Athyn Church and The Academy of the New Church on various committees and projects. He loved classical music and played first violin in the Bryn Athyn Orchestra for most of his adult life. He was an avid gardener and managed the Bryn Athyn community garden for a number of years.

Fondly referred to as ‘Poppadad’ by his family, Peter was always a force for good in his long life and was devoted to his wife, family, community and church. His kind smile and gentle spirit will be missed by all.

Private Service in the Bryn Athyn Church

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Bryn Athyn Emergency Financial Aid Committee ([email protected])