Morning Call – February 4, 2008

William Greenawald Memorial Service

Dear Friends,

Good morning. Our dear friend William F. "Bill" Greenawald’s memorial service is this afternoon at Muhlenberg College’s Egner Chapel at 4 PM. I never thought that I’d be writing a column about him after he left this world for the next. Bill was a major force in the Lehigh Valley. Vibrant and popular, he seemed so healthy, but a massive heart attack struck him last week. He was only 73.

Our friendship spanned 30 years of work on the AAA Lehigh Valley, AAA East Penn and AAA East Central Board of Directors. In the local AAA clubs, I followed him as Chairman.

Bill’s career affected thousands in the Valley and his business and community interests were remarkably varied. His obituary listed 15 organizations where he held significant positions and I called six for their reflections.

Edward Charles is the General Manager of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, which operates the Great Allentown Fair and the Allentown Fairgrounds. "I’ve never met a finer gentleman," Charles told me.

His daughter, Bonnie Brocious, is the organization’s Marketing Director. Bill Greenawald began his association with the Allentown Fair 31 years ago. "Bill loved the fair," she began. "He joined the Board of Directors in 1977 and was its President since 2005.

"Bill served as Master of Ceremonies for many of the Fair’s programs," Brocious continued. "He was exuberant in his affection for the Fair, often recounting how he worked as an usher in the grandstand as a boy. He was everywhere…so active, so willing to learn," she added. "He always had a boyish glint in his eye."

"I’ve known Bill since our days at Muhlenberg [College]," attorney Malcom Gross told me. Bill served on the Harry C. Trexler Trust with Gross and three others. "Last year, the Trexler Trust awarded $5 million to Lehigh County charities and the city of Allentown.

"The judges of the Lehigh County Court appoint five trustees, a most high distinction," Gross continued. "Bill was a perfect fit to be a trustee. He was always well prepared, reliable, and collegial."

"Bill left an indelible mark on individuals and organizations in the Valley," Reverend Douglas Caldwell told me. The pastor of the Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Caldwell is a fellow board member of AAA East Penn and will conduct Bill’s services today. "He was so highly esteemed," Caldwell said. "Bill helped to make the Lehigh Valley a better place. He always looked forward to the future.

"He never lost his boyish looks," Caldwell continued. "Bill’s miniature railroad in his basement was a constant hit with family and friends. He still had that playfulness about him."

"Bill was the last person I thought would die young," Peyton "Randy" Helm, the President of Muhlenberg College, began. "He was so robust…such an interested person," Helm added. "It made your day just to have a conversation with him."

Bill was a trustee at Muhlenberg in the 1980’s. "He was part of the community’s fabric," Helm continued. "Bill knew everybody and everybody liked him. He opened doors for us at Muhlenberg."

Helm worked with Bill on revitalizing the west end of Allentown. "He was a leader in the community but he always had the boy in him," Helm said. "He was unique."

Kathleen Meckes is the Executive Director of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. "Bill steered our investments for nearly 25 years," she told me. "The association is secure and has expanded its services because of his expertise and the time he gave. The organization was dear to his heart. Bill was generous, patient and understanding. He had a wonderful personality and listened to everyone."

"If you’re looking for Mr. Lehigh Valley, it’s Bill Greenawald," Jeffery Bogert, Bill’s colleague and Senior Vice President at Smith Barney, said. "Bill was one of the most genuine persons you’ll ever meet. He always cared about the other person and the community…first. Bill wanted to do the right thing for the client and the employees."

I think of several other illustrations, which put Bill on Lehigh Valley’s map. The first was a hilarious story during his college days as a DJ on radio station WAEB. I hope Reverend Caldwell shares it today. And the second was his television appearances at the annual Channel 39 Auctions.

Bill was proud of his Pennsylvania German heritage and often told amusing stories about them. There’s a Pennsylvania German phrase, which means farewell, until we meet again. And so my dear friend…"Bis mer witter ‘tsuma kuma"…you’ve crossed the bar.

Sincerely,

Charles Meredith