William Bridgman Churchman III, 89, of Gladwyne, a retired insurance executive, died Sunday, November 20, of pneumonia at Lankenau Hospital.
In 1947, Mr. Churchman joined the Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Philadelphia. He later told an Inquirer reporter, "I went into the insurance business, where literally anybody could get a job," and noted that salesmen were paid solely on commission.
He told The Inquirer in 1986 that he got into management "by default," after peddling insurance door to door in Levittown. In 1969, he was named president of the insurance firm Frank B. Hall & Co. of Pennsylvania.
When a reporter asked what he enjoyed about his job, he said he liked "recruiting good people, retaining them, and motivating them."
He retired from the Hall firm in 1994.
Besides insurance, Mr. Churchman's business interests included a partnership in the former Cloverlay Gym in North Philadelphia, where Joe Frazier trained. He also owned horses that raced at PhiladelphiaPark, Belmont, and Aqueduct. He had a car phone in the 1970s, said a daughter, Paige, that he used to call his clients, stockbroker, and bookie to place sports bets.
Mr. Churchman grew up in Chestnut Hill. He attended several schools, completing his high school education at Chestnut Hill Academy, where in his senior year he played on an undefeated football team.
During World War II, Mr. Churchman earned his pilot's wings as a Marine Corps aviator. He and baseball great Ted Williams were flight instructors together in Pensacola, Fla. Recalled during the Korean War, both men flew fighters and remained good friends until Williams' death in 2002.
Mr. Churchman had a passion for politics, Republican and Democratic. In 1940, he appeared as Uncle Sam at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
He later attacked Wisconsin Republican Sen. Joe McCarthy at a public appearance and supported Democrat Richardson Dilworth's failed run for mayor of Philadelphia in 1947. Mr. Churchman handled the campaign publicity when Dilworth ran successfully for city treasurer in 1949.
In 1955, Mr. Churchman encouraged his friend W. Thacher Longstreth, a Republican, to run against incumbent Mayor Dilworth. Longstreth lost.
Mr. Churchman, a competitive athlete, was a runner and played squash, tennis, and golf.
His maternal great-grandfather, Emile Camille Geyelin, was a hydraulic engineer who installed turbines at Niagara Falls and the Fairmount Waterworks, which were built on the Schuylkill in the early 19th century.
Mr. Churchman was active in fund-raising for the restoration of the Waterworks. The project was completed in 2003 with the opening of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and an upscale restaurant.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Betty Beeler Forman Churchman; a son, Peter; daughters Anne and Alice; a sister; three grandchildren; and his former wife, Anne Myers Churchman.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne.
Published November 25, 2011 on "philly.com" by Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer
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WILLIAM BRIDGMAN CHURCHMAN, III, age 89, of Gladwyne, passed away on November 20, 2011, at Lankenau Hospital. Beloved husband of Betty (Beeler) Churchman. Dear father of Paige Churchman, Nancy Churchman, Peter Churchman and Alice Beatrice "Bz" Churchman (Kenneth Hans Kaufmann); dear stepfather of John C. Forman (Susan), Jane B. Forman (Jerry Elmquist) and Susan B. Forman (David Hill); brother of Alice Beatrice Churchman du Pont; grandfather of Christopher William Churchman, Karsten Hans Kaufmann and Hadley Beatrice Kaufmann; step grandfather of 7 and step great grandfather of 3. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service 11 A.M., Saturday, St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne PA.
Published in Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on November 24, 2011
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Personal note: Mr. Churchman was a unique individual, a force of nature would be more like it. He could go anywhere in Philly and someone would know him and call out his name and say hello. He would reply with his famous "right back atcha." He was a tall striking gentleman. The last time I spoke with him was on Walnut Street in Philly. He was wearing his favorite straw "boater." He made it his business to learn about his clients and their families and was very generous. He always signed his correspondence Semper Fi. One day I was called to the front desk and a man asked if I was Mr. C's secretary and I said yes and he gave me an envelope filled with cash for Mr. Churchman as he had made a lucky bet. When I gave it to Mr. Churchman, he wanted to know if I had counted it and I replied, counted what and kept walking. He liked to go out and run on the streets at lunch and would return limping as his arthritis was giving him fits and his knees would be terribly swollen and would have to be iced down. He always sent his old friend Ted Williams a turkey for Thanksgiving. Believe me when I tell you he could run a secretary ragged, but I wouldn't take anything for the experience. Caretaker
In 1947, Mr. Churchman joined the Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Philadelphia. He later told an Inquirer reporter, "I went into the insurance business, where literally anybody could get a job," and noted that salesmen were paid solely on commission.
He told The Inquirer in 1986 that he got into management "by default," after peddling insurance door to door in Levittown. In 1969, he was named president of the insurance firm Frank B. Hall & Co. of Pennsylvania.
When a reporter asked what he enjoyed about his job, he said he liked "recruiting good people, retaining them, and motivating them."
He retired from the Hall firm in 1994.
Besides insurance, Mr. Churchman's business interests included a partnership in the former Cloverlay Gym in North Philadelphia, where Joe Frazier trained. He also owned horses that raced at PhiladelphiaPark, Belmont, and Aqueduct. He had a car phone in the 1970s, said a daughter, Paige, that he used to call his clients, stockbroker, and bookie to place sports bets.
Mr. Churchman grew up in Chestnut Hill. He attended several schools, completing his high school education at Chestnut Hill Academy, where in his senior year he played on an undefeated football team.
During World War II, Mr. Churchman earned his pilot's wings as a Marine Corps aviator. He and baseball great Ted Williams were flight instructors together in Pensacola, Fla. Recalled during the Korean War, both men flew fighters and remained good friends until Williams' death in 2002.
Mr. Churchman had a passion for politics, Republican and Democratic. In 1940, he appeared as Uncle Sam at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
He later attacked Wisconsin Republican Sen. Joe McCarthy at a public appearance and supported Democrat Richardson Dilworth's failed run for mayor of Philadelphia in 1947. Mr. Churchman handled the campaign publicity when Dilworth ran successfully for city treasurer in 1949.
In 1955, Mr. Churchman encouraged his friend W. Thacher Longstreth, a Republican, to run against incumbent Mayor Dilworth. Longstreth lost.
Mr. Churchman, a competitive athlete, was a runner and played squash, tennis, and golf.
His maternal great-grandfather, Emile Camille Geyelin, was a hydraulic engineer who installed turbines at Niagara Falls and the Fairmount Waterworks, which were built on the Schuylkill in the early 19th century.
Mr. Churchman was active in fund-raising for the restoration of the Waterworks. The project was completed in 2003 with the opening of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and an upscale restaurant.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Betty Beeler Forman Churchman; a son, Peter; daughters Anne and Alice; a sister; three grandchildren; and his former wife, Anne Myers Churchman.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne.
Published November 25, 2011 on "philly.com" by Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer
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WILLIAM BRIDGMAN CHURCHMAN, III, age 89, of Gladwyne, passed away on November 20, 2011, at Lankenau Hospital. Beloved husband of Betty (Beeler) Churchman. Dear father of Paige Churchman, Nancy Churchman, Peter Churchman and Alice Beatrice "Bz" Churchman (Kenneth Hans Kaufmann); dear stepfather of John C. Forman (Susan), Jane B. Forman (Jerry Elmquist) and Susan B. Forman (David Hill); brother of Alice Beatrice Churchman du Pont; grandfather of Christopher William Churchman, Karsten Hans Kaufmann and Hadley Beatrice Kaufmann; step grandfather of 7 and step great grandfather of 3. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service 11 A.M., Saturday, St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne PA.
Published in Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on November 24, 2011
***********************************************
Personal note: Mr. Churchman was a unique individual, a force of nature would be more like it. He could go anywhere in Philly and someone would know him and call out his name and say hello. He would reply with his famous "right back atcha." He was a tall striking gentleman. The last time I spoke with him was on Walnut Street in Philly. He was wearing his favorite straw "boater." He made it his business to learn about his clients and their families and was very generous. He always signed his correspondence Semper Fi. One day I was called to the front desk and a man asked if I was Mr. C's secretary and I said yes and he gave me an envelope filled with cash for Mr. Churchman as he had made a lucky bet. When I gave it to Mr. Churchman, he wanted to know if I had counted it and I replied, counted what and kept walking. He liked to go out and run on the streets at lunch and would return limping as his arthritis was giving him fits and his knees would be terribly swollen and would have to be iced down. He always sent his old friend Ted Williams a turkey for Thanksgiving. Believe me when I tell you he could run a secretary ragged, but I wouldn't take anything for the experience. Caretaker
William Bridgman Churchman III, 89, of Gladwyne, a retired insurance executive, died Sunday, November 20, of pneumonia at Lankenau Hospital.
In 1947, Mr. Churchman joined the Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Philadelphia. He later told an Inquirer reporter, "I went into the insurance business, where literally anybody could get a job," and noted that salesmen were paid solely on commission.
He told The Inquirer in 1986 that he got into management "by default," after peddling insurance door to door in Levittown. In 1969, he was named president of the insurance firm Frank B. Hall & Co. of Pennsylvania.
When a reporter asked what he enjoyed about his job, he said he liked "recruiting good people, retaining them, and motivating them."
He retired from the Hall firm in 1994.
Besides insurance, Mr. Churchman's business interests included a partnership in the former Cloverlay Gym in North Philadelphia, where Joe Frazier trained. He also owned horses that raced at PhiladelphiaPark, Belmont, and Aqueduct. He had a car phone in the 1970s, said a daughter, Paige, that he used to call his clients, stockbroker, and bookie to place sports bets.
Mr. Churchman grew up in Chestnut Hill. He attended several schools, completing his high school education at Chestnut Hill Academy, where in his senior year he played on an undefeated football team.
During World War II, Mr. Churchman earned his pilot's wings as a Marine Corps aviator. He and baseball great Ted Williams were flight instructors together in Pensacola, Fla. Recalled during the Korean War, both men flew fighters and remained good friends until Williams' death in 2002.
Mr. Churchman had a passion for politics, Republican and Democratic. In 1940, he appeared as Uncle Sam at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
He later attacked Wisconsin Republican Sen. Joe McCarthy at a public appearance and supported Democrat Richardson Dilworth's failed run for mayor of Philadelphia in 1947. Mr. Churchman handled the campaign publicity when Dilworth ran successfully for city treasurer in 1949.
In 1955, Mr. Churchman encouraged his friend W. Thacher Longstreth, a Republican, to run against incumbent Mayor Dilworth. Longstreth lost.
Mr. Churchman, a competitive athlete, was a runner and played squash, tennis, and golf.
His maternal great-grandfather, Emile Camille Geyelin, was a hydraulic engineer who installed turbines at Niagara Falls and the Fairmount Waterworks, which were built on the Schuylkill in the early 19th century.
Mr. Churchman was active in fund-raising for the restoration of the Waterworks. The project was completed in 2003 with the opening of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and an upscale restaurant.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Betty Beeler Forman Churchman; a son, Peter; daughters Anne and Alice; a sister; three grandchildren; and his former wife, Anne Myers Churchman.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne.
Published November 25, 2011 on "philly.com" by Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer
**********************************************
WILLIAM BRIDGMAN CHURCHMAN, III, age 89, of Gladwyne, passed away on November 20, 2011, at Lankenau Hospital. Beloved husband of Betty (Beeler) Churchman. Dear father of Paige Churchman, Nancy Churchman, Peter Churchman and Alice Beatrice "Bz" Churchman (Kenneth Hans Kaufmann); dear stepfather of John C. Forman (Susan), Jane B. Forman (Jerry Elmquist) and Susan B. Forman (David Hill); brother of Alice Beatrice Churchman du Pont; grandfather of Christopher William Churchman, Karsten Hans Kaufmann and Hadley Beatrice Kaufmann; step grandfather of 7 and step great grandfather of 3. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service 11 A.M., Saturday, St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne PA.
Published in Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on November 24, 2011
***********************************************
Personal note: Mr. Churchman was a unique individual, a force of nature would be more like it. He could go anywhere in Philly and someone would know him and call out his name and say hello. He would reply with his famous "right back atcha." He was a tall striking gentleman. The last time I spoke with him was on Walnut Street in Philly. He was wearing his favorite straw "boater." He made it his business to learn about his clients and their families and was very generous. He always signed his correspondence Semper Fi. One day I was called to the front desk and a man asked if I was Mr. C's secretary and I said yes and he gave me an envelope filled with cash for Mr. Churchman as he had made a lucky bet. When I gave it to Mr. Churchman, he wanted to know if I had counted it and I replied, counted what and kept walking. He liked to go out and run on the streets at lunch and would return limping as his arthritis was giving him fits and his knees would be terribly swollen and would have to be iced down. He always sent his old friend Ted Williams a turkey for Thanksgiving. Believe me when I tell you he could run a secretary ragged, but I wouldn't take anything for the experience. Caretaker
In 1947, Mr. Churchman joined the Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Philadelphia. He later told an Inquirer reporter, "I went into the insurance business, where literally anybody could get a job," and noted that salesmen were paid solely on commission.
He told The Inquirer in 1986 that he got into management "by default," after peddling insurance door to door in Levittown. In 1969, he was named president of the insurance firm Frank B. Hall & Co. of Pennsylvania.
When a reporter asked what he enjoyed about his job, he said he liked "recruiting good people, retaining them, and motivating them."
He retired from the Hall firm in 1994.
Besides insurance, Mr. Churchman's business interests included a partnership in the former Cloverlay Gym in North Philadelphia, where Joe Frazier trained. He also owned horses that raced at PhiladelphiaPark, Belmont, and Aqueduct. He had a car phone in the 1970s, said a daughter, Paige, that he used to call his clients, stockbroker, and bookie to place sports bets.
Mr. Churchman grew up in Chestnut Hill. He attended several schools, completing his high school education at Chestnut Hill Academy, where in his senior year he played on an undefeated football team.
During World War II, Mr. Churchman earned his pilot's wings as a Marine Corps aviator. He and baseball great Ted Williams were flight instructors together in Pensacola, Fla. Recalled during the Korean War, both men flew fighters and remained good friends until Williams' death in 2002.
Mr. Churchman had a passion for politics, Republican and Democratic. In 1940, he appeared as Uncle Sam at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
He later attacked Wisconsin Republican Sen. Joe McCarthy at a public appearance and supported Democrat Richardson Dilworth's failed run for mayor of Philadelphia in 1947. Mr. Churchman handled the campaign publicity when Dilworth ran successfully for city treasurer in 1949.
In 1955, Mr. Churchman encouraged his friend W. Thacher Longstreth, a Republican, to run against incumbent Mayor Dilworth. Longstreth lost.
Mr. Churchman, a competitive athlete, was a runner and played squash, tennis, and golf.
His maternal great-grandfather, Emile Camille Geyelin, was a hydraulic engineer who installed turbines at Niagara Falls and the Fairmount Waterworks, which were built on the Schuylkill in the early 19th century.
Mr. Churchman was active in fund-raising for the restoration of the Waterworks. The project was completed in 2003 with the opening of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and an upscale restaurant.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Betty Beeler Forman Churchman; a son, Peter; daughters Anne and Alice; a sister; three grandchildren; and his former wife, Anne Myers Churchman.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne.
Published November 25, 2011 on "philly.com" by Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer
**********************************************
WILLIAM BRIDGMAN CHURCHMAN, III, age 89, of Gladwyne, passed away on November 20, 2011, at Lankenau Hospital. Beloved husband of Betty (Beeler) Churchman. Dear father of Paige Churchman, Nancy Churchman, Peter Churchman and Alice Beatrice "Bz" Churchman (Kenneth Hans Kaufmann); dear stepfather of John C. Forman (Susan), Jane B. Forman (Jerry Elmquist) and Susan B. Forman (David Hill); brother of Alice Beatrice Churchman du Pont; grandfather of Christopher William Churchman, Karsten Hans Kaufmann and Hadley Beatrice Kaufmann; step grandfather of 7 and step great grandfather of 3. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service 11 A.M., Saturday, St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne PA.
Published in Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on November 24, 2011
***********************************************
Personal note: Mr. Churchman was a unique individual, a force of nature would be more like it. He could go anywhere in Philly and someone would know him and call out his name and say hello. He would reply with his famous "right back atcha." He was a tall striking gentleman. The last time I spoke with him was on Walnut Street in Philly. He was wearing his favorite straw "boater." He made it his business to learn about his clients and their families and was very generous. He always signed his correspondence Semper Fi. One day I was called to the front desk and a man asked if I was Mr. C's secretary and I said yes and he gave me an envelope filled with cash for Mr. Churchman as he had made a lucky bet. When I gave it to Mr. Churchman, he wanted to know if I had counted it and I replied, counted what and kept walking. He liked to go out and run on the streets at lunch and would return limping as his arthritis was giving him fits and his knees would be terribly swollen and would have to be iced down. He always sent his old friend Ted Williams a turkey for Thanksgiving. Believe me when I tell you he could run a secretary ragged, but I wouldn't take anything for the experience. Caretaker
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