George Arthur Etzweiler

George A. Etzweiler, 105, died peacefully on March 16, 2025, from complications of pneumonia.

Born March 14, 1920, in Derry Township, PA, he was the son of Charles and Esther (Lash) Etzweiler. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Mary (Richard) Etzweiler (married May 23, 1942); all siblings (Raymond, Melvin, Pearl Treaster, and Esther McClenahen); and daughter Shirley Fye. He is survived by his two sons, Larry and Charles (Sharon); son-in-law E. Ray Fye; four grandchildren, Robert Etzweiler (Natasha) (Dummerston, VT), Jessica Namias Pondexter (Phillip), Alisha Etzweiler (Vasil Paraskevas), and Rachael Fye (Matthew Stauffer) (Delta, CO); and six great-grandchildren, Malik and Aaliyah Patterson, Persephone Pondexter, Vasil and Olivia Paraskevas, and E. Kodiak Stauffer.

George was a 1936 graduate of Yeagertown High School. He served in the Navy during World War II and attended Penn State on the GI bill. He worked in industry from 1950 to 1957 and then returned to Penn State as a full-time instructor and part-time Ph.D. candidate. He earned his PhD in electrical engineering in 1964 and joined the Penn State faculty. He was the undergraduate student adviser and won the Outstanding Advising Award in 1969, 1985, and 1989. He was a member of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, the ASEE, and a Senior Member of the IEEE. In 1990, he retired but continued to teach courses several years into his retirement. He often said that he loved teaching.

In 1956, George joined his spouse’s denomination, the Church of the Brethren. He loved the church and remained active in church activities until his death. He did volunteer work for the University Baptist and Brethren Church, for CentrePeace, for Camp Blue Diamond, and for other charitable groups. For more than 30 years, until 2003, he was the treasurer of the Middle PA District Churches of Brethren. He completed many CROP walks for the benefit of Church World Service. He thrice participated in “Over the Edge” rappelling events to raise money for charities and twice rappelled down Beaver Stadium, the last time in October 2024.

George started running at 49 and continued until 104. He ran the Mount Washington Road Race in Jackson, NH (7.6 miles, 4618 feet ascent) 13 times and held three age-group records. In 2016, he was inducted into that race’s hall of fame and completed his last race two years later at age 98. He also ran local races and was a president of the Nittany Valley Track Club. In 2007, he formed a team called “The Old Men of the Mountains” (named after a famous rock formation in NH, although the team often included women) to run the Tussey MountainBack 50-Mile Relay Race. Team members were at least 65, but he strove to include older runners, and the average age was often 75 or older. George participated in each relay race as captain of the team until and including the October 2024 race.

George loved the mountains of central Pennsylvania and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He accompanied all his grandchildren on their initial hikes to the peak of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. He and his older son, often accompanied by family and friends, climbed many peaks in the White Mountains, including all 48 peaks higher than 4000 feet. At age 101, he climbed Mount Nittany in Lemont, PA, with his great-grandson E. Kodiak Stauffer (“Kody”), then aged 3. He continued mountain-hiking with friends until he was 104. When health issues prevented hiking, he continued workouts at Ki’netik Fitness Center.

At 105, George knew no one older than himself. He will be missed by his younger family and friends.

An open Memorial Service and Reception celebrating George’s life is planned for Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 2 PM at the University Baptist and Brethren Church. 411 S. Burrowes St., State College.

George was an advocate for independent journalism and was dismayed by the loss of local newspapers. Memorial contributions may be made to the University Baptist and Brethren Church; to the Heifer Project International at www.heifer.org; to CentrePeace, 3047 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, PA; or by subscribing to your local newspaper.