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Erich Richard Wiesenhutter Eric R. Wiesenhutter of Harleysville, PA passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025 at the age of 105. Eric was born to Gustav A. Wiesenhutter and Anna Knochenhauer in Gorlitz, Germany. A funeral and celebration of his life will be held April 12, 2025, at Ardmore United Methodist Church, Ardmore, PA. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, service at 10:30am with interment to follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Ardmore, PA. A luncheon reception to follow. Eric graduated from Simon Gratz High School in 1937. He then attended and graduated from Peirce Business School with a major in business and accounting. Eric’s professional career spanned more than 48 years. He was first employed, serving as an accountant for the Strick Company and later employed by RCA from 1954-1985 where he began his career as a computer programmer and later promoted to systems analyst. He had published several papers on computer programming, including the ever-changing technology at the time from key punch data entry to paper tape entry. Eric met his wife Anna Moore of Penn Valley in 1941 and married in November 1945. The young couple settled in Philadelphia in 1951 where they resided for 55 years. They welcomed the birth of their son Richard in August 1945 and daughter Jean in May 1951. The family were 50-year members of Epiphany Lutheran Church, where Eric served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Treasurer, as well as having served in various other voluntary positions. Eric proudly served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 and 1949-1953. Shortly after completing his training, he was assigned to the Signal Corps and eventually shipped to the European Theater within the combat photography unit where he was assigned to the 3rd Army under the command of General Patton for the upcoming invasion of Normandy. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his meritorious service while serving in the 166th Signal Photographic Co. Eric was also awarded five Campaign Ribbons honoring his involvement in the European Campaign, which included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. The French Embassy in Washington DC presented him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his participation in the “D” Day endeavor. He served in the Army Reserves from 1954-1979 and retired as Chief Warrant Officer. He has written a book, “My Story” which details his Army career from a personal perspective. Eric has been the guest speaker at many veterans groups as well as local middle and high schools and he has appeared on several local news stations. He would describe in detail what it was like to fight for our freedom, as well as for the freedom of other countries. He always made certain his audience understood that freedom is not free and since the Revolutionary War, one million Americans have perished in the quest to preserve our nation’s freedom. Eric and his wife Anna spent many wonderful summers at their family cottage at Lake Wallenpaupack, PA. There they enjoyed swimming, water skiing, fishing and boating with family and friends. Eric always enjoyed ending the day at “Happy Hour” where he and family would share the stories of their day’s activities on the lake. Eric is survived by his daughter Jean Wiesenhutter Ladenheim and her husband Steven of Newtown Square and Pop Pop’s three (3) beloved granddaughters Stefanie Dunne, Kimberly Neidig and Lauren DeGrazio and eight (8) great grandchildren, Kieralyn, Sieira, Christifer and Phoenix Dunne and Jodan, Evan, Alex and Audrey Neidig. Eric is predeceased by his wife Anna, son Richard, brother Walter and parents Gustav and Anna Wiesenhutter. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Thorncroft Equestrian Center in support of their Veterans Scholarship Program 190 Line Road, Malvern, PA. (A 501c3 Not For Profit Federal EIN #23-2218431) www.Thorncroft.org

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Eric R. Wiesenhutter

November 12, 1919 - March 26, 2025