Ed was my father's best friend while growing up, and they would remain friends just about all my father's life. Ed vibrated on a different frequency than many people, and it was what made him unique. There was a piercing intensity to his intelligence, incisiveness, big voice and his blazing blue eyes. I can easily imagine Ed finding friendship pleasant with my easygoing dad, and vice versa.
Their friendship (along with Ed's future first wife) is documented in 1988's "Proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society" in "A Treasury of Memories" - a piece by Harold W. Helfrich (pp. 65-67):
"The pleasures of ice skating, skiing and sledding outweighed the need to shovel snow and curtail social affairs. Although never proficient, I loved ice skating and was game to trek after school or in early evenings to the shallow, frozen-over pond that had been created, along with the Union Terrace amphitheater, where once we had gone exploring a swamp... Some of our most memorable winter fun occurred there in the company of such old friends as Ed Schlechter, Betty Hummel, Bill Tuttle, Gates Beckwith, Nolan "Buss" Benner, Hank Fetterman, Gilbert Romberger, Barbara Kistler, Viginia Gillespie, the Walker brothers, Doris Dieruff, Bette Muth, and my usual comrades: Hank Brown, Bill Wilcox, Bill Hinterleiter and Pete Walters."
Ed had wonderful taste in women. His first wife Betty was one of my mom's very best friends - a lively, pretty, very well put together lady with an earthy sense of humor. Some years after Betty's passing from breast cancer, Ed would marry once more to Gale, an intelligent and attractive career woman who also became one of my mom's treasured friends. The two couples traveled a lot together, including jaunts to America's southwest and yearly trips to Florida.
In my junior high years I studied German, and then found the "Schlechter" name especially interesting; I asked Uncle Ed if he knew what his last name meant, to which he smilingly barked "Worse!" Exactly.
When of college age, Ed and my father went into the service for WWII around the same time. My father's interest in flying led him to the Army Air Corps, while Ed had some discomfort with heights. Many years later, I recall my folks recounting the tale of my dad driving them along some of the high, narrow, curving mountainous roads of America's southwest, Ed's face turning green while his white knuckles clutched the car door handle. No doubt, that night in the hotel room, the drinks tasted especially good.
_____________________________________
Edward W. Schlechter, Jr., 90, of Allentown died Wednesday November 13, 2013 after a brief illness in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Gale (Snyder) Schlechter with whom he celebrated 30 years of marriage on November 11, 2013. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward W. Schlechter, Sr. and the late Florence M. (Young) Schlechter. Edward was a 1940 graduate of Allentown High School and 1942 graduate of Perkiomen Prep. He furthered his education at Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College. As a young man Edward joined the family business, Schlechter Printers and Publishers, Allentown, following in the career steps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father. He retired in 1985 as the owner after more than 40 years employment. Founded in 1810, Schlechter Printers was one of the oldest family business establishments in the Lehigh Valley and published Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican,) a German-language newspaper. Edward was an avid and skilled fly fisherman who fished on the most significant trout streams in Pennsylvania. He was a member of The Stretch, Blakeslee for over 25 years. Enjoying golf for more than 75 years, he was a member of Lehigh County Club. As a dedicated community volunteer, Edward was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Livingston Club 1962-63, Rotary Club, United Way, and served Meals on Wheels over 20 years. He was one of the three founders of Trident Swim Club, the first in Allentown which then served as a model for many other neighborhood swim clubs. He also served on the South Whitehall Township Recreation Commission. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, and former member of Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown, serving on the vestry and church council.A veteran of World War II, Edward served the 7th Army Air Forces Radio Squadron in the Philippines. Survivors: Beloved wife, Gale Snyder Schlechter; daughter, Sally S. Johnson of Stuart, FL; son, Edward W. Schlechter III of Allentown; granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Cunningham of Charlotte, NC, Brittney and Kelsey Schlechter of Allentown; brother John F. Schlechter of Center Valley; nephews, John, Scott and Andrew Schlechter. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Schlechter Grube and his first wife, Elizabeth Hummel Schlechter. Services: Memorial Service 11 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 in the First Presbyterian Church. Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday in the church. Interment is private. Arrangements by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, www.jsburkholder.com. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18103 or Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, 4234 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
_____________________________________
Extracted from the Morning Call of Thursday, February 20, 1986:
If Christian Jacob Hutter were alive today, he undoubtedly would be surprised to learn that the printing business he began back in 1810 is still operating today.
The former Easton resident, one of the founders of Lafayette College and a successful apothecary, began a German language newspaper, Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican), that year which was published until 1915, becoming one of the longest lived newspapers in the country.
After a succession of owners, the newspaper and printing business established by Hutter were purchased in 1875 by William F. Schlechter and his brother-in-law, E. E. Rinn.
The partnership was dissolved 11 years later and Schlechter, the first of several generations of family members to operate the business now known as the Edward W. Schlechter Printing Co., became sole owner.
Past newspaper accounts refer to the printing plant, located since 1970 at 12th and Washington streets, Allentown, as the oldest business in the Lehigh Valley.
On the first of this year, after 110 years of family ownership, the establishment was sold by Edward W. Schlechter Jr. to Ralph Randazzo, formerly marketing services manager for Stanley-Vidmar, Inc. Schlechter will remain as general manager. The name of the business will not be changed.
Randazzo, who also operates Ad-Mail services, says he expects to merge Ad- Mail with the printing business while continuing the tradition of Schlechter Printing Co.
Noting the company has a very fine reputation for letterheads, commercial stationery and thermography (a type of raised printing that looks like engraving and is done by a heating process), Randazzo says he expects to build up the commercial side of the business.
Randazzo says he wants to adhere to the quality standards Schlechter has been known for over the years. "I hope to make it grow and become more well known in the community." The new owner also wants to employ more people and "make it as vibrant as it once was in this area."
Schlechter, the fourth generation of his family to operate the printing plant, says he's happy to have found someone "reputable and knowledgeable to sell the business to."
Schlechter took over the reins five years ago from his late father, Edward W. Sr., known locally as a historian. In 1937, Edward W. had succeeded his own father, Edward H., who operated the business after his father William stepped down in 1930.
Schlechter's son, Edward W. III, runs a landscaping business in Harrisburg. His daughter, Sally, is affiliated with the national headquarters of the Police Athletic League.
_____________________________________
Morning Call - Monday, January 14, 1985
RICHARD DRUCKENBROD
NUMMER 85:02
WELLI ZEIDING HOT DEI VORVAADER GELESE?
Mer denkt net zu oft draa, awwer allegebott kummt der Pit dezu fer denke wie unsere Voreldere gelannt henn was in der Welt am Aageh waar verdem ass mir es Radio unn die Guckbox ghadde henn. Vun Zeit zu Zeit griggt der Pit en aldi Zeiding zu sehne, unn wann er dutt, fallt's ihm widder ei ass es schunnt arrig frieh Zeidinge do in dem Land gewwe hot. In der Mitt vum Achtzehnde Yaahrhunnert rum henn die Leit in der Gegend vun Philadelphia en Deitschi Zeiding lese kenne ass vum Christoph Sauer rausgewwe iss warre.
Die Woch welle mir aafange en Lischt vun Zeidinge widderzugewwe ass der Melville Boyer gsammelt hot ass do in Allenschdeddel rausgewwe sinn warre. Gemeenerhand hot mer die Zeiding gelese ass gebasst hot wie mer gschdimmt hot.
NUMMER 85:02
WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOUR FOREFATHER READ?
One doesn't think about it too often, but every now and then Pit gets to thinking of how our forefathers learned what was going on in the world before we had radio and television. From time to time Pit gets to see an oldnewspaper, and when he does, it occurs to him that very early already there were newspapers here in this land. In the middle of the eighteenth Century the folks in the area of Philadelphia could read a German newspaper which was published by Christoph Sauer.
This week we want to begin to publish a list of newspapers which Melville Boyer assembled which were published here in Allentown. Usually one read the newspaper which was appropriate to how one voted.
DAADEM/DATE TITTEL/TITLE WIE OFF
1807 (16 Woche) Der Constitutionelle Advocate und Allentaun Gazette w
1808-1810 Der Northampton Advertiser und Allentaun Gazette w
1810-1915 Der Unabhaengige Republikaner /The Independent Republican w
1812-1931 Der Friedens-Bothe und Lecha Calunty Anzeiger/
The Messenger of Peace and the Lehigh County Advertiser w
1817-1820 The Lehigh Sentinel (First English paper in Lehigh County) w
1825 The Allentown Star w
1827 The Lehigh Herald
1828-1829 Demokratische Freye Presse/Democratic Free Press w
1829-1833 Der Lecha Patriot (Anti-Freymaurer)/
The Lehigh Patriot (Anti Free-Mason) w
1833-1837 Der Lecha Patriot und Northamton Caunty Jeffersonianer
und Telegraph w
1837-1838 Der Lecha Patriot and Northampton Caunty Wochentlicher Anzeiger/
The Lehigh Patriot and Northampton County Weekly Advertiser w
1837-1847 The Lehigh Bulletin (became The Allentown Democrat) w
1839-1848 Der Lecha patriot und Northampton Democrat w
1843 The Lehigh Democrat (ten weeks only) w
1847-1908? Der Jugend Freund und Christian-Bote/
The Youth Friend and Christian Messenger sm
1847-1919 The Allentown Democrat w/d
1847 The Lehigh Reporter
1848-1859 Der Lecha Patriot w
1848-1903 The Lehigh Register (Vol. II #13 dated Jan. 4, 1848) w
1850 The Allentonian
1854-1920 Der Welt-Bote/The World-Messenger w
1854-1865 Missions Blatter/Mission Pages m
1854-1855 Lutherische Zeitschrift (re-issued 1858-1880) m
1856-1858 Das Bauern Journal/The Farm Journal m
1856-1857 Zeichen der Zeit/Signs of the Time m
1857-1858 Der Unabhangige Christ/The Independent Christian sm
1857-1858 Medizinischer Hausfreund/Medicinal House Friend m
1859-1872 Der Lecha Caunty Patriot/The Lehigh County patriot w
1861 Der Kirchenmann/The Church Man
1863 Soldaten Freund/Soldiers Friend
1865-1875 Lehigh Daily News d
1866-1867 Auswartiger Kirchen und Missions Berichter
Foreign Church and Mission Courier m
1867 The Evening Dispatch
1868-1872 Stadt und Land Bote/City and Country Messenger d
1868-1873 Theologische Monats Hefte/Theological Monthly Pamphlet m
1868-1870 Der Sonntagschul Lehrer and Eltern Freund/
The Sunday School Teacher and Parent Friend m
w weekly/Alli Woch - m monthly/munetlich - daily/daeglich
Mir kumme nochemol zu dem widder zerick. Hoscht du gewisst ass es so viel Zeidinge gewwe hot??
We'll come back again to this. Did you know that there were so many newspapers??
Their friendship (along with Ed's future first wife) is documented in 1988's "Proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society" in "A Treasury of Memories" - a piece by Harold W. Helfrich (pp. 65-67):
"The pleasures of ice skating, skiing and sledding outweighed the need to shovel snow and curtail social affairs. Although never proficient, I loved ice skating and was game to trek after school or in early evenings to the shallow, frozen-over pond that had been created, along with the Union Terrace amphitheater, where once we had gone exploring a swamp... Some of our most memorable winter fun occurred there in the company of such old friends as Ed Schlechter, Betty Hummel, Bill Tuttle, Gates Beckwith, Nolan "Buss" Benner, Hank Fetterman, Gilbert Romberger, Barbara Kistler, Viginia Gillespie, the Walker brothers, Doris Dieruff, Bette Muth, and my usual comrades: Hank Brown, Bill Wilcox, Bill Hinterleiter and Pete Walters."
Ed had wonderful taste in women. His first wife Betty was one of my mom's very best friends - a lively, pretty, very well put together lady with an earthy sense of humor. Some years after Betty's passing from breast cancer, Ed would marry once more to Gale, an intelligent and attractive career woman who also became one of my mom's treasured friends. The two couples traveled a lot together, including jaunts to America's southwest and yearly trips to Florida.
In my junior high years I studied German, and then found the "Schlechter" name especially interesting; I asked Uncle Ed if he knew what his last name meant, to which he smilingly barked "Worse!" Exactly.
When of college age, Ed and my father went into the service for WWII around the same time. My father's interest in flying led him to the Army Air Corps, while Ed had some discomfort with heights. Many years later, I recall my folks recounting the tale of my dad driving them along some of the high, narrow, curving mountainous roads of America's southwest, Ed's face turning green while his white knuckles clutched the car door handle. No doubt, that night in the hotel room, the drinks tasted especially good.
_____________________________________
Edward W. Schlechter, Jr., 90, of Allentown died Wednesday November 13, 2013 after a brief illness in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Gale (Snyder) Schlechter with whom he celebrated 30 years of marriage on November 11, 2013. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward W. Schlechter, Sr. and the late Florence M. (Young) Schlechter. Edward was a 1940 graduate of Allentown High School and 1942 graduate of Perkiomen Prep. He furthered his education at Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College. As a young man Edward joined the family business, Schlechter Printers and Publishers, Allentown, following in the career steps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father. He retired in 1985 as the owner after more than 40 years employment. Founded in 1810, Schlechter Printers was one of the oldest family business establishments in the Lehigh Valley and published Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican,) a German-language newspaper. Edward was an avid and skilled fly fisherman who fished on the most significant trout streams in Pennsylvania. He was a member of The Stretch, Blakeslee for over 25 years. Enjoying golf for more than 75 years, he was a member of Lehigh County Club. As a dedicated community volunteer, Edward was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Livingston Club 1962-63, Rotary Club, United Way, and served Meals on Wheels over 20 years. He was one of the three founders of Trident Swim Club, the first in Allentown which then served as a model for many other neighborhood swim clubs. He also served on the South Whitehall Township Recreation Commission. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, and former member of Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown, serving on the vestry and church council.A veteran of World War II, Edward served the 7th Army Air Forces Radio Squadron in the Philippines. Survivors: Beloved wife, Gale Snyder Schlechter; daughter, Sally S. Johnson of Stuart, FL; son, Edward W. Schlechter III of Allentown; granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Cunningham of Charlotte, NC, Brittney and Kelsey Schlechter of Allentown; brother John F. Schlechter of Center Valley; nephews, John, Scott and Andrew Schlechter. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Schlechter Grube and his first wife, Elizabeth Hummel Schlechter. Services: Memorial Service 11 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 in the First Presbyterian Church. Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday in the church. Interment is private. Arrangements by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, www.jsburkholder.com. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18103 or Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, 4234 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
_____________________________________
Extracted from the Morning Call of Thursday, February 20, 1986:
If Christian Jacob Hutter were alive today, he undoubtedly would be surprised to learn that the printing business he began back in 1810 is still operating today.
The former Easton resident, one of the founders of Lafayette College and a successful apothecary, began a German language newspaper, Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican), that year which was published until 1915, becoming one of the longest lived newspapers in the country.
After a succession of owners, the newspaper and printing business established by Hutter were purchased in 1875 by William F. Schlechter and his brother-in-law, E. E. Rinn.
The partnership was dissolved 11 years later and Schlechter, the first of several generations of family members to operate the business now known as the Edward W. Schlechter Printing Co., became sole owner.
Past newspaper accounts refer to the printing plant, located since 1970 at 12th and Washington streets, Allentown, as the oldest business in the Lehigh Valley.
On the first of this year, after 110 years of family ownership, the establishment was sold by Edward W. Schlechter Jr. to Ralph Randazzo, formerly marketing services manager for Stanley-Vidmar, Inc. Schlechter will remain as general manager. The name of the business will not be changed.
Randazzo, who also operates Ad-Mail services, says he expects to merge Ad- Mail with the printing business while continuing the tradition of Schlechter Printing Co.
Noting the company has a very fine reputation for letterheads, commercial stationery and thermography (a type of raised printing that looks like engraving and is done by a heating process), Randazzo says he expects to build up the commercial side of the business.
Randazzo says he wants to adhere to the quality standards Schlechter has been known for over the years. "I hope to make it grow and become more well known in the community." The new owner also wants to employ more people and "make it as vibrant as it once was in this area."
Schlechter, the fourth generation of his family to operate the printing plant, says he's happy to have found someone "reputable and knowledgeable to sell the business to."
Schlechter took over the reins five years ago from his late father, Edward W. Sr., known locally as a historian. In 1937, Edward W. had succeeded his own father, Edward H., who operated the business after his father William stepped down in 1930.
Schlechter's son, Edward W. III, runs a landscaping business in Harrisburg. His daughter, Sally, is affiliated with the national headquarters of the Police Athletic League.
_____________________________________
Morning Call - Monday, January 14, 1985
RICHARD DRUCKENBROD
NUMMER 85:02
WELLI ZEIDING HOT DEI VORVAADER GELESE?
Mer denkt net zu oft draa, awwer allegebott kummt der Pit dezu fer denke wie unsere Voreldere gelannt henn was in der Welt am Aageh waar verdem ass mir es Radio unn die Guckbox ghadde henn. Vun Zeit zu Zeit griggt der Pit en aldi Zeiding zu sehne, unn wann er dutt, fallt's ihm widder ei ass es schunnt arrig frieh Zeidinge do in dem Land gewwe hot. In der Mitt vum Achtzehnde Yaahrhunnert rum henn die Leit in der Gegend vun Philadelphia en Deitschi Zeiding lese kenne ass vum Christoph Sauer rausgewwe iss warre.
Die Woch welle mir aafange en Lischt vun Zeidinge widderzugewwe ass der Melville Boyer gsammelt hot ass do in Allenschdeddel rausgewwe sinn warre. Gemeenerhand hot mer die Zeiding gelese ass gebasst hot wie mer gschdimmt hot.
NUMMER 85:02
WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOUR FOREFATHER READ?
One doesn't think about it too often, but every now and then Pit gets to thinking of how our forefathers learned what was going on in the world before we had radio and television. From time to time Pit gets to see an oldnewspaper, and when he does, it occurs to him that very early already there were newspapers here in this land. In the middle of the eighteenth Century the folks in the area of Philadelphia could read a German newspaper which was published by Christoph Sauer.
This week we want to begin to publish a list of newspapers which Melville Boyer assembled which were published here in Allentown. Usually one read the newspaper which was appropriate to how one voted.
DAADEM/DATE TITTEL/TITLE WIE OFF
1807 (16 Woche) Der Constitutionelle Advocate und Allentaun Gazette w
1808-1810 Der Northampton Advertiser und Allentaun Gazette w
1810-1915 Der Unabhaengige Republikaner /The Independent Republican w
1812-1931 Der Friedens-Bothe und Lecha Calunty Anzeiger/
The Messenger of Peace and the Lehigh County Advertiser w
1817-1820 The Lehigh Sentinel (First English paper in Lehigh County) w
1825 The Allentown Star w
1827 The Lehigh Herald
1828-1829 Demokratische Freye Presse/Democratic Free Press w
1829-1833 Der Lecha Patriot (Anti-Freymaurer)/
The Lehigh Patriot (Anti Free-Mason) w
1833-1837 Der Lecha Patriot und Northamton Caunty Jeffersonianer
und Telegraph w
1837-1838 Der Lecha Patriot and Northampton Caunty Wochentlicher Anzeiger/
The Lehigh Patriot and Northampton County Weekly Advertiser w
1837-1847 The Lehigh Bulletin (became The Allentown Democrat) w
1839-1848 Der Lecha patriot und Northampton Democrat w
1843 The Lehigh Democrat (ten weeks only) w
1847-1908? Der Jugend Freund und Christian-Bote/
The Youth Friend and Christian Messenger sm
1847-1919 The Allentown Democrat w/d
1847 The Lehigh Reporter
1848-1859 Der Lecha Patriot w
1848-1903 The Lehigh Register (Vol. II #13 dated Jan. 4, 1848) w
1850 The Allentonian
1854-1920 Der Welt-Bote/The World-Messenger w
1854-1865 Missions Blatter/Mission Pages m
1854-1855 Lutherische Zeitschrift (re-issued 1858-1880) m
1856-1858 Das Bauern Journal/The Farm Journal m
1856-1857 Zeichen der Zeit/Signs of the Time m
1857-1858 Der Unabhangige Christ/The Independent Christian sm
1857-1858 Medizinischer Hausfreund/Medicinal House Friend m
1859-1872 Der Lecha Caunty Patriot/The Lehigh County patriot w
1861 Der Kirchenmann/The Church Man
1863 Soldaten Freund/Soldiers Friend
1865-1875 Lehigh Daily News d
1866-1867 Auswartiger Kirchen und Missions Berichter
Foreign Church and Mission Courier m
1867 The Evening Dispatch
1868-1872 Stadt und Land Bote/City and Country Messenger d
1868-1873 Theologische Monats Hefte/Theological Monthly Pamphlet m
1868-1870 Der Sonntagschul Lehrer and Eltern Freund/
The Sunday School Teacher and Parent Friend m
w weekly/Alli Woch - m monthly/munetlich - daily/daeglich
Mir kumme nochemol zu dem widder zerick. Hoscht du gewisst ass es so viel Zeidinge gewwe hot??
We'll come back again to this. Did you know that there were so many newspapers??
Ed was my father's best friend while growing up, and they would remain friends just about all my father's life. Ed vibrated on a different frequency than many people, and it was what made him unique. There was a piercing intensity to his intelligence, incisiveness, big voice and his blazing blue eyes. I can easily imagine Ed finding friendship pleasant with my easygoing dad, and vice versa.
Their friendship (along with Ed's future first wife) is documented in 1988's "Proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society" in "A Treasury of Memories" - a piece by Harold W. Helfrich (pp. 65-67):
"The pleasures of ice skating, skiing and sledding outweighed the need to shovel snow and curtail social affairs. Although never proficient, I loved ice skating and was game to trek after school or in early evenings to the shallow, frozen-over pond that had been created, along with the Union Terrace amphitheater, where once we had gone exploring a swamp... Some of our most memorable winter fun occurred there in the company of such old friends as Ed Schlechter, Betty Hummel, Bill Tuttle, Gates Beckwith, Nolan "Buss" Benner, Hank Fetterman, Gilbert Romberger, Barbara Kistler, Viginia Gillespie, the Walker brothers, Doris Dieruff, Bette Muth, and my usual comrades: Hank Brown, Bill Wilcox, Bill Hinterleiter and Pete Walters."
Ed had wonderful taste in women. His first wife Betty was one of my mom's very best friends - a lively, pretty, very well put together lady with an earthy sense of humor. Some years after Betty's passing from breast cancer, Ed would marry once more to Gale, an intelligent and attractive career woman who also became one of my mom's treasured friends. The two couples traveled a lot together, including jaunts to America's southwest and yearly trips to Florida.
In my junior high years I studied German, and then found the "Schlechter" name especially interesting; I asked Uncle Ed if he knew what his last name meant, to which he smilingly barked "Worse!" Exactly.
When of college age, Ed and my father went into the service for WWII around the same time. My father's interest in flying led him to the Army Air Corps, while Ed had some discomfort with heights. Many years later, I recall my folks recounting the tale of my dad driving them along some of the high, narrow, curving mountainous roads of America's southwest, Ed's face turning green while his white knuckles clutched the car door handle. No doubt, that night in the hotel room, the drinks tasted especially good.
_____________________________________
Edward W. Schlechter, Jr., 90, of Allentown died Wednesday November 13, 2013 after a brief illness in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Gale (Snyder) Schlechter with whom he celebrated 30 years of marriage on November 11, 2013. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward W. Schlechter, Sr. and the late Florence M. (Young) Schlechter. Edward was a 1940 graduate of Allentown High School and 1942 graduate of Perkiomen Prep. He furthered his education at Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College. As a young man Edward joined the family business, Schlechter Printers and Publishers, Allentown, following in the career steps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father. He retired in 1985 as the owner after more than 40 years employment. Founded in 1810, Schlechter Printers was one of the oldest family business establishments in the Lehigh Valley and published Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican,) a German-language newspaper. Edward was an avid and skilled fly fisherman who fished on the most significant trout streams in Pennsylvania. He was a member of The Stretch, Blakeslee for over 25 years. Enjoying golf for more than 75 years, he was a member of Lehigh County Club. As a dedicated community volunteer, Edward was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Livingston Club 1962-63, Rotary Club, United Way, and served Meals on Wheels over 20 years. He was one of the three founders of Trident Swim Club, the first in Allentown which then served as a model for many other neighborhood swim clubs. He also served on the South Whitehall Township Recreation Commission. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, and former member of Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown, serving on the vestry and church council.A veteran of World War II, Edward served the 7th Army Air Forces Radio Squadron in the Philippines. Survivors: Beloved wife, Gale Snyder Schlechter; daughter, Sally S. Johnson of Stuart, FL; son, Edward W. Schlechter III of Allentown; granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Cunningham of Charlotte, NC, Brittney and Kelsey Schlechter of Allentown; brother John F. Schlechter of Center Valley; nephews, John, Scott and Andrew Schlechter. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Schlechter Grube and his first wife, Elizabeth Hummel Schlechter. Services: Memorial Service 11 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 in the First Presbyterian Church. Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday in the church. Interment is private. Arrangements by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, www.jsburkholder.com. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18103 or Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, 4234 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
_____________________________________
Extracted from the Morning Call of Thursday, February 20, 1986:
If Christian Jacob Hutter were alive today, he undoubtedly would be surprised to learn that the printing business he began back in 1810 is still operating today.
The former Easton resident, one of the founders of Lafayette College and a successful apothecary, began a German language newspaper, Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican), that year which was published until 1915, becoming one of the longest lived newspapers in the country.
After a succession of owners, the newspaper and printing business established by Hutter were purchased in 1875 by William F. Schlechter and his brother-in-law, E. E. Rinn.
The partnership was dissolved 11 years later and Schlechter, the first of several generations of family members to operate the business now known as the Edward W. Schlechter Printing Co., became sole owner.
Past newspaper accounts refer to the printing plant, located since 1970 at 12th and Washington streets, Allentown, as the oldest business in the Lehigh Valley.
On the first of this year, after 110 years of family ownership, the establishment was sold by Edward W. Schlechter Jr. to Ralph Randazzo, formerly marketing services manager for Stanley-Vidmar, Inc. Schlechter will remain as general manager. The name of the business will not be changed.
Randazzo, who also operates Ad-Mail services, says he expects to merge Ad- Mail with the printing business while continuing the tradition of Schlechter Printing Co.
Noting the company has a very fine reputation for letterheads, commercial stationery and thermography (a type of raised printing that looks like engraving and is done by a heating process), Randazzo says he expects to build up the commercial side of the business.
Randazzo says he wants to adhere to the quality standards Schlechter has been known for over the years. "I hope to make it grow and become more well known in the community." The new owner also wants to employ more people and "make it as vibrant as it once was in this area."
Schlechter, the fourth generation of his family to operate the printing plant, says he's happy to have found someone "reputable and knowledgeable to sell the business to."
Schlechter took over the reins five years ago from his late father, Edward W. Sr., known locally as a historian. In 1937, Edward W. had succeeded his own father, Edward H., who operated the business after his father William stepped down in 1930.
Schlechter's son, Edward W. III, runs a landscaping business in Harrisburg. His daughter, Sally, is affiliated with the national headquarters of the Police Athletic League.
_____________________________________
Morning Call - Monday, January 14, 1985
RICHARD DRUCKENBROD
NUMMER 85:02
WELLI ZEIDING HOT DEI VORVAADER GELESE?
Mer denkt net zu oft draa, awwer allegebott kummt der Pit dezu fer denke wie unsere Voreldere gelannt henn was in der Welt am Aageh waar verdem ass mir es Radio unn die Guckbox ghadde henn. Vun Zeit zu Zeit griggt der Pit en aldi Zeiding zu sehne, unn wann er dutt, fallt's ihm widder ei ass es schunnt arrig frieh Zeidinge do in dem Land gewwe hot. In der Mitt vum Achtzehnde Yaahrhunnert rum henn die Leit in der Gegend vun Philadelphia en Deitschi Zeiding lese kenne ass vum Christoph Sauer rausgewwe iss warre.
Die Woch welle mir aafange en Lischt vun Zeidinge widderzugewwe ass der Melville Boyer gsammelt hot ass do in Allenschdeddel rausgewwe sinn warre. Gemeenerhand hot mer die Zeiding gelese ass gebasst hot wie mer gschdimmt hot.
NUMMER 85:02
WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOUR FOREFATHER READ?
One doesn't think about it too often, but every now and then Pit gets to thinking of how our forefathers learned what was going on in the world before we had radio and television. From time to time Pit gets to see an oldnewspaper, and when he does, it occurs to him that very early already there were newspapers here in this land. In the middle of the eighteenth Century the folks in the area of Philadelphia could read a German newspaper which was published by Christoph Sauer.
This week we want to begin to publish a list of newspapers which Melville Boyer assembled which were published here in Allentown. Usually one read the newspaper which was appropriate to how one voted.
DAADEM/DATE TITTEL/TITLE WIE OFF
1807 (16 Woche) Der Constitutionelle Advocate und Allentaun Gazette w
1808-1810 Der Northampton Advertiser und Allentaun Gazette w
1810-1915 Der Unabhaengige Republikaner /The Independent Republican w
1812-1931 Der Friedens-Bothe und Lecha Calunty Anzeiger/
The Messenger of Peace and the Lehigh County Advertiser w
1817-1820 The Lehigh Sentinel (First English paper in Lehigh County) w
1825 The Allentown Star w
1827 The Lehigh Herald
1828-1829 Demokratische Freye Presse/Democratic Free Press w
1829-1833 Der Lecha Patriot (Anti-Freymaurer)/
The Lehigh Patriot (Anti Free-Mason) w
1833-1837 Der Lecha Patriot und Northamton Caunty Jeffersonianer
und Telegraph w
1837-1838 Der Lecha Patriot and Northampton Caunty Wochentlicher Anzeiger/
The Lehigh Patriot and Northampton County Weekly Advertiser w
1837-1847 The Lehigh Bulletin (became The Allentown Democrat) w
1839-1848 Der Lecha patriot und Northampton Democrat w
1843 The Lehigh Democrat (ten weeks only) w
1847-1908? Der Jugend Freund und Christian-Bote/
The Youth Friend and Christian Messenger sm
1847-1919 The Allentown Democrat w/d
1847 The Lehigh Reporter
1848-1859 Der Lecha Patriot w
1848-1903 The Lehigh Register (Vol. II #13 dated Jan. 4, 1848) w
1850 The Allentonian
1854-1920 Der Welt-Bote/The World-Messenger w
1854-1865 Missions Blatter/Mission Pages m
1854-1855 Lutherische Zeitschrift (re-issued 1858-1880) m
1856-1858 Das Bauern Journal/The Farm Journal m
1856-1857 Zeichen der Zeit/Signs of the Time m
1857-1858 Der Unabhangige Christ/The Independent Christian sm
1857-1858 Medizinischer Hausfreund/Medicinal House Friend m
1859-1872 Der Lecha Caunty Patriot/The Lehigh County patriot w
1861 Der Kirchenmann/The Church Man
1863 Soldaten Freund/Soldiers Friend
1865-1875 Lehigh Daily News d
1866-1867 Auswartiger Kirchen und Missions Berichter
Foreign Church and Mission Courier m
1867 The Evening Dispatch
1868-1872 Stadt und Land Bote/City and Country Messenger d
1868-1873 Theologische Monats Hefte/Theological Monthly Pamphlet m
1868-1870 Der Sonntagschul Lehrer and Eltern Freund/
The Sunday School Teacher and Parent Friend m
w weekly/Alli Woch - m monthly/munetlich - daily/daeglich
Mir kumme nochemol zu dem widder zerick. Hoscht du gewisst ass es so viel Zeidinge gewwe hot??
We'll come back again to this. Did you know that there were so many newspapers??
Their friendship (along with Ed's future first wife) is documented in 1988's "Proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society" in "A Treasury of Memories" - a piece by Harold W. Helfrich (pp. 65-67):
"The pleasures of ice skating, skiing and sledding outweighed the need to shovel snow and curtail social affairs. Although never proficient, I loved ice skating and was game to trek after school or in early evenings to the shallow, frozen-over pond that had been created, along with the Union Terrace amphitheater, where once we had gone exploring a swamp... Some of our most memorable winter fun occurred there in the company of such old friends as Ed Schlechter, Betty Hummel, Bill Tuttle, Gates Beckwith, Nolan "Buss" Benner, Hank Fetterman, Gilbert Romberger, Barbara Kistler, Viginia Gillespie, the Walker brothers, Doris Dieruff, Bette Muth, and my usual comrades: Hank Brown, Bill Wilcox, Bill Hinterleiter and Pete Walters."
Ed had wonderful taste in women. His first wife Betty was one of my mom's very best friends - a lively, pretty, very well put together lady with an earthy sense of humor. Some years after Betty's passing from breast cancer, Ed would marry once more to Gale, an intelligent and attractive career woman who also became one of my mom's treasured friends. The two couples traveled a lot together, including jaunts to America's southwest and yearly trips to Florida.
In my junior high years I studied German, and then found the "Schlechter" name especially interesting; I asked Uncle Ed if he knew what his last name meant, to which he smilingly barked "Worse!" Exactly.
When of college age, Ed and my father went into the service for WWII around the same time. My father's interest in flying led him to the Army Air Corps, while Ed had some discomfort with heights. Many years later, I recall my folks recounting the tale of my dad driving them along some of the high, narrow, curving mountainous roads of America's southwest, Ed's face turning green while his white knuckles clutched the car door handle. No doubt, that night in the hotel room, the drinks tasted especially good.
_____________________________________
Edward W. Schlechter, Jr., 90, of Allentown died Wednesday November 13, 2013 after a brief illness in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Gale (Snyder) Schlechter with whom he celebrated 30 years of marriage on November 11, 2013. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward W. Schlechter, Sr. and the late Florence M. (Young) Schlechter. Edward was a 1940 graduate of Allentown High School and 1942 graduate of Perkiomen Prep. He furthered his education at Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College. As a young man Edward joined the family business, Schlechter Printers and Publishers, Allentown, following in the career steps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father. He retired in 1985 as the owner after more than 40 years employment. Founded in 1810, Schlechter Printers was one of the oldest family business establishments in the Lehigh Valley and published Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican,) a German-language newspaper. Edward was an avid and skilled fly fisherman who fished on the most significant trout streams in Pennsylvania. He was a member of The Stretch, Blakeslee for over 25 years. Enjoying golf for more than 75 years, he was a member of Lehigh County Club. As a dedicated community volunteer, Edward was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Livingston Club 1962-63, Rotary Club, United Way, and served Meals on Wheels over 20 years. He was one of the three founders of Trident Swim Club, the first in Allentown which then served as a model for many other neighborhood swim clubs. He also served on the South Whitehall Township Recreation Commission. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, and former member of Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown, serving on the vestry and church council.A veteran of World War II, Edward served the 7th Army Air Forces Radio Squadron in the Philippines. Survivors: Beloved wife, Gale Snyder Schlechter; daughter, Sally S. Johnson of Stuart, FL; son, Edward W. Schlechter III of Allentown; granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Cunningham of Charlotte, NC, Brittney and Kelsey Schlechter of Allentown; brother John F. Schlechter of Center Valley; nephews, John, Scott and Andrew Schlechter. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Schlechter Grube and his first wife, Elizabeth Hummel Schlechter. Services: Memorial Service 11 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 in the First Presbyterian Church. Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday in the church. Interment is private. Arrangements by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown, www.jsburkholder.com. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18103 or Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, 4234 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
_____________________________________
Extracted from the Morning Call of Thursday, February 20, 1986:
If Christian Jacob Hutter were alive today, he undoubtedly would be surprised to learn that the printing business he began back in 1810 is still operating today.
The former Easton resident, one of the founders of Lafayette College and a successful apothecary, began a German language newspaper, Der Unabhaengige Republikaner (The Independent Republican), that year which was published until 1915, becoming one of the longest lived newspapers in the country.
After a succession of owners, the newspaper and printing business established by Hutter were purchased in 1875 by William F. Schlechter and his brother-in-law, E. E. Rinn.
The partnership was dissolved 11 years later and Schlechter, the first of several generations of family members to operate the business now known as the Edward W. Schlechter Printing Co., became sole owner.
Past newspaper accounts refer to the printing plant, located since 1970 at 12th and Washington streets, Allentown, as the oldest business in the Lehigh Valley.
On the first of this year, after 110 years of family ownership, the establishment was sold by Edward W. Schlechter Jr. to Ralph Randazzo, formerly marketing services manager for Stanley-Vidmar, Inc. Schlechter will remain as general manager. The name of the business will not be changed.
Randazzo, who also operates Ad-Mail services, says he expects to merge Ad- Mail with the printing business while continuing the tradition of Schlechter Printing Co.
Noting the company has a very fine reputation for letterheads, commercial stationery and thermography (a type of raised printing that looks like engraving and is done by a heating process), Randazzo says he expects to build up the commercial side of the business.
Randazzo says he wants to adhere to the quality standards Schlechter has been known for over the years. "I hope to make it grow and become more well known in the community." The new owner also wants to employ more people and "make it as vibrant as it once was in this area."
Schlechter, the fourth generation of his family to operate the printing plant, says he's happy to have found someone "reputable and knowledgeable to sell the business to."
Schlechter took over the reins five years ago from his late father, Edward W. Sr., known locally as a historian. In 1937, Edward W. had succeeded his own father, Edward H., who operated the business after his father William stepped down in 1930.
Schlechter's son, Edward W. III, runs a landscaping business in Harrisburg. His daughter, Sally, is affiliated with the national headquarters of the Police Athletic League.
_____________________________________
Morning Call - Monday, January 14, 1985
RICHARD DRUCKENBROD
NUMMER 85:02
WELLI ZEIDING HOT DEI VORVAADER GELESE?
Mer denkt net zu oft draa, awwer allegebott kummt der Pit dezu fer denke wie unsere Voreldere gelannt henn was in der Welt am Aageh waar verdem ass mir es Radio unn die Guckbox ghadde henn. Vun Zeit zu Zeit griggt der Pit en aldi Zeiding zu sehne, unn wann er dutt, fallt's ihm widder ei ass es schunnt arrig frieh Zeidinge do in dem Land gewwe hot. In der Mitt vum Achtzehnde Yaahrhunnert rum henn die Leit in der Gegend vun Philadelphia en Deitschi Zeiding lese kenne ass vum Christoph Sauer rausgewwe iss warre.
Die Woch welle mir aafange en Lischt vun Zeidinge widderzugewwe ass der Melville Boyer gsammelt hot ass do in Allenschdeddel rausgewwe sinn warre. Gemeenerhand hot mer die Zeiding gelese ass gebasst hot wie mer gschdimmt hot.
NUMMER 85:02
WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOUR FOREFATHER READ?
One doesn't think about it too often, but every now and then Pit gets to thinking of how our forefathers learned what was going on in the world before we had radio and television. From time to time Pit gets to see an oldnewspaper, and when he does, it occurs to him that very early already there were newspapers here in this land. In the middle of the eighteenth Century the folks in the area of Philadelphia could read a German newspaper which was published by Christoph Sauer.
This week we want to begin to publish a list of newspapers which Melville Boyer assembled which were published here in Allentown. Usually one read the newspaper which was appropriate to how one voted.
DAADEM/DATE TITTEL/TITLE WIE OFF
1807 (16 Woche) Der Constitutionelle Advocate und Allentaun Gazette w
1808-1810 Der Northampton Advertiser und Allentaun Gazette w
1810-1915 Der Unabhaengige Republikaner /The Independent Republican w
1812-1931 Der Friedens-Bothe und Lecha Calunty Anzeiger/
The Messenger of Peace and the Lehigh County Advertiser w
1817-1820 The Lehigh Sentinel (First English paper in Lehigh County) w
1825 The Allentown Star w
1827 The Lehigh Herald
1828-1829 Demokratische Freye Presse/Democratic Free Press w
1829-1833 Der Lecha Patriot (Anti-Freymaurer)/
The Lehigh Patriot (Anti Free-Mason) w
1833-1837 Der Lecha Patriot und Northamton Caunty Jeffersonianer
und Telegraph w
1837-1838 Der Lecha Patriot and Northampton Caunty Wochentlicher Anzeiger/
The Lehigh Patriot and Northampton County Weekly Advertiser w
1837-1847 The Lehigh Bulletin (became The Allentown Democrat) w
1839-1848 Der Lecha patriot und Northampton Democrat w
1843 The Lehigh Democrat (ten weeks only) w
1847-1908? Der Jugend Freund und Christian-Bote/
The Youth Friend and Christian Messenger sm
1847-1919 The Allentown Democrat w/d
1847 The Lehigh Reporter
1848-1859 Der Lecha Patriot w
1848-1903 The Lehigh Register (Vol. II #13 dated Jan. 4, 1848) w
1850 The Allentonian
1854-1920 Der Welt-Bote/The World-Messenger w
1854-1865 Missions Blatter/Mission Pages m
1854-1855 Lutherische Zeitschrift (re-issued 1858-1880) m
1856-1858 Das Bauern Journal/The Farm Journal m
1856-1857 Zeichen der Zeit/Signs of the Time m
1857-1858 Der Unabhangige Christ/The Independent Christian sm
1857-1858 Medizinischer Hausfreund/Medicinal House Friend m
1859-1872 Der Lecha Caunty Patriot/The Lehigh County patriot w
1861 Der Kirchenmann/The Church Man
1863 Soldaten Freund/Soldiers Friend
1865-1875 Lehigh Daily News d
1866-1867 Auswartiger Kirchen und Missions Berichter
Foreign Church and Mission Courier m
1867 The Evening Dispatch
1868-1872 Stadt und Land Bote/City and Country Messenger d
1868-1873 Theologische Monats Hefte/Theological Monthly Pamphlet m
1868-1870 Der Sonntagschul Lehrer and Eltern Freund/
The Sunday School Teacher and Parent Friend m
w weekly/Alli Woch - m monthly/munetlich - daily/daeglich
Mir kumme nochemol zu dem widder zerick. Hoscht du gewisst ass es so viel Zeidinge gewwe hot??
We'll come back again to this. Did you know that there were so many newspapers??
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