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Leiper Patterson Read, Jr., of
Cranberry Lake, New York, passed away on May 8 at his winter home near
Foley, Alabama, after a brief illness. Born in Frostburg, Maryland on
January 28, 1921 to Ella B. Read and Leiper P. Read, Sr., he spent most
of his youth around eastern Pennsylvania's coal mining region, where
his father worked as a mechanic for the mines. From his earliest years
"Buddy" took an avid interest in radio technology and obtained his
amateur radio operator's license in 1938. A 1939 graduate of Pottsville
High School, he served in the Army Air Corps from 1940 to 1945 as a
Tech Sergeant, distinguishing himself as an outstanding and inventive
radio technician for numerous types of aircraft, including B-24 bombers
and the P-51s of the 359th Fighter Group stationed in England. He
received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from
Lehigh University in 1950, going to work in the aerospace field. He
served as a systems design engineer for 27 years at Link Flight
Simulation Division in Binghamton, New York. He developed simulation
systems for numerous projects, both military and civilian, most notably
the SR-71 Blackbird "Skunkworks" project, and the Apollo moon voyagers. He
retired in 1982 and moved to Cranberry Lake, where he spent his time
breathing fresh air and enjoying the beautiful view of the lake. He
became involved in many community-based projects, including the
development of Cranberry Lake's first high-speed wireless internet
connection, located in the community center. He remained active in the
amateur radio community with the call letters W2JV, making many lasting
friendships there and in daily life as well. Everyone will
remember Leiper for his ready smile and outgoing manner. He is survived
by his wife of 60 years, Katherine V. Read, his sons Douglas A. Read
and Donald S. Read, granddaughter Erika M. Read, and sister Mary Lamar
Knight.
Services
will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2:00 P.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church
in Potsdam, NY, followed by burial at Cranberry Lake Cemetery. A second memorial celebration will take place at Cranberry Lake Fire Hall on Monday, July 27.
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