Edward Brown Everhart, 92

SMYRNA - Edward Brown Everhart, formerly of Asheville, N.C., and Reading, Pa., a World War II veteran, died on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at his home in Smyrna. He was 92.

Mr. Everhart graduated from Smyrna High School in 1932, during which year he composed its Alma Mater.

He attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and returned to Smyrna as part of the Everhart Brothers family business, which sold "anything electrical."

During World War II, Mr. Everhart was a 1st lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps, and taught electronics at Fort Knox prior to duty in Africa and Europe.

Mr. Everhart was a teacher of electronics at a local engineering school, a maintainer of instruments at Dover Air Force Base, a designer of new electronics circuits (including some novel radio modulation techniques), a pioneer in introducing some modern diagnostic techniques to instrument repair, redesigner of parts of the machinery at Playtex, and (when he moved into programming) a man who implemented new business systems at Playtex that worked without a hitch the first time they were turned on and thereafter.

He also was an excellent mechanic and had a natural grasp of all kinds of engines, readily sharing this with many others whom he taught.

Mr. Everhart loved music (especially sacred and classical).

He sang tenor in choirs all over the area, had a powerful and resonant voice and strong musical sense.

He also loved electronics, socializing with friends, traveling, gardening, computers and photography.

More importantly, he loved his children and grandchildren dearly, and was loved by them and many others.

Mr. Everhart was a man who loved humor who brought joy to all who knew him, who thought always of others and was respected for his honesty and wisdom.

He was one of those people around whom groups of friends form, and had close friends all over the U.S., seeing many of them regularly until his last illness.

Mr. Everhart wanted his life to be remembered with the joy and friendship he had known all his life. Almost his last words before death were about this.

His wife of 57 years, Mary Keely Everhart, died in 2000.

He is survived by three children, Glenn Everhart, Gail Barber, and Craig Everhart; and four grandchildren, Ian Everhart, Ted Everhart, Katy Everhart and David Everhart; and numerous friends.

A memorial service for Mr. Everhart will be 11 a.m. Dec. 27 in First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna, opposite the fire hall, 118 W. Commerce St.

Those interested in contributing some memorial gift might consider a gift in memory of Mr. Everhart to First Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements by Faries Funeral Directors, Inc., 29 South Main Street, Smyrna.