Obituary of Paul A. Ehrhardt

Paul A. Ehrhardt, Sr. 93, of Harmony, NJ passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Paul was born in Union, NJ on Feb. 29, 1916 to Henry and Anna (Fuhs) Ehrhardt. He married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Murphy, who predeceased him in 2002, and they raised their 7 children in Bloomfield, NJ, then Pines Lake, NJ, and finally Harmony, where they settled in 1964. Paul leaves his children Mary Anne of Bethlehem, PA, Rev. Joseph OFM of Nairobi, Kenya, Paul A. Jr. (Peggy) of New York City, Robert F. of Goleta, CA, Margaret Condron (Joseph) of Reseda, CA, and Anne Sobocinski (Brian) of Waldorf, MD. Another daughter, Catherine Rose predeceased him in 1980. Paul also leaves his grandchildren, Paul A. III (Rosana) of Centreville, VA, Megan Ehrhardt Stein (Peter) of Herndon, VA, Karen Anne Billingslea (Marshall) of Great Falls VA, Elizabeth Ehrhardt Gandza (Carl) of Meriden, CT, Christopher Ehrhardt of Woodbridge, VA, Gregory Ehrhardt of Prospect, CT, Joseph Sobocinski of Washington, DC, and Benjamin, Stephen and Theresa Sobocinski of Waldorf, MD. Also, Paul's great-grandchildren Camila and Leo Ehrhardt, Aidan and Sophia Stein, and Morgan and Elsa Billingslea. Paul is also survived by his brother, John (Una) of Springfield NJ and his sister, Rita Zellner of Greensburg, PA and many nieces and nephews and their families. He was also predeceased by his brother, William (Marion) of Springfield, NJ. Paul worked for 42 years, almost his entire career, in electro-mechanical engineering at ITT, in Clifton, NJ and then in Easton, PA, until his retirement in 1981. He devoted his talents and efforts to microwave power tube design, testing, and production for use in many industries including Air Traffic Control Systems and National Defense Radar Systems. Paul carried these talents over to three lifetime hobbies, Amateur Radio, electronic digital organ construction, and master craftsman woodworking. He was also a self-taught organist and the home concerts he provided on Sunday afternoons and special occasions are a treasured memory for his family and friends. Paul's love of God and his Catholic faith sustained him throughout life, and especially in his last days. Contributions may be made in Paul's memory to the Franciscan Missionary Union, ATT: Joseph Ehrhardt OFM, 135 West 31st St. New York, NY 10001. To send a Life Tribute or Condolences to the Ehrhardt family, please click the "Sign Guestbook" link below. Read Paul Ehrhardt, Sr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com.