Charles F. Mengers, 94, mechanical engineer

Charles F. Mengers, 94, of the Ogden section of Lower Chichester, a musician and former director of research for the Philadelphia Electric Co., died Tuesday, Sept. 9, of myasthenia gravis at his home.

Born in Wilmington, Mr. Mengers grew up in Oaklyn and lived in Chester before moving to Ogden in 1950.

He was a 1938 graduate of Collingswood High School, where he was a standout runner of the 100- and 220-yard dashes, and concertmaster of the orchestra.

In 1942, Mr. Mengers earned a mechanical engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. He did additional executive study at Columbia University and Dartmouth College.

For 40 years, Mr. Mengers was a mechanical engineer for Peco, where he was director of research, investigating alternate energy resources. He retired in 1985.

He then became a technical editor and consultant for the Edison Electric Institute and the International Atomic Energy Agency. His writing appeared in the Wall Street Journal and Barron's.

Mr. Mengers excelled in playing the violin, viola, and French horn, but his favorite was the horn. For many years he played first chair of the horn section of the Wilmington Symphony, now the Delaware Symphony.

He also played with the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, the Delaware County Symphony, the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra, and the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra.

He was a regular in the orchestra pit at the DuPont Playhouse in Wilmington, and played for the Ardensingers Gilbert & Sullivan operettas in Delaware, and the Brandywiners at Longwood Gardens.

A veteran of World War II, Mr. Mengers served in the Navy starting in 1943. He tested catapult and flight-arresting gear for aircraft carriers before retiring into the Navy Reserve in May 1946.

In April 1982, while on business in Houston, Mr. Mengers was shot in the mouth by a mugger who fled. Mr. Mengers did not allow the police to call his wife until he was sure he would live to play the horn again.

"He thought if she heard his voice, she wouldn't be so upset," said his daughter Patricia Allis Mengers.

A member of Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Church in Lower Chichester for six decades, Mr. Mengers served on the parish pastoral council and played Santa Claus at the Christmas bazaar.

Mr. Mengers was a former president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Chester. He enjoyed playing bridge, stamp collecting, watching Phillies games, driving in the Blue Ridge Mountains, wine-tasting, growing roses, and playing with his now-17-year-old cat, Felix.

Mr. Mengers, who was known for his wit and gentlemanly ways, was married for more than 66 years to Eileen Kovatch Mengers. She died last November.

Surviving besides his daughter are another daughter, Eileen; sons Charles A. and David P.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three nephews; and eight nieces.

Visitations from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston, and 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Holy Saviour Church, 108 E. Ridge Rd., Linwood, will be followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass Saturday at the church. Burial is in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill.

Donations may be made to the Missionaries of Charity, 2714 W. Ninth St., Chester, Pa. 19013.

610-313-8102