Obituary of Elmer T. Schorle Jr.

Elmer (Hank) Schorle, 87, of Plymouth Meeting, PA passed away on July 8th. He is the son of the late Elmer Schorle, Sr. and Emma Elizabeth (Burghardt) and was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years Anne L. (Bechtel). He is survived by his children Robert A. (Suzanne), Bruce M. (Sharon), Mark S., and Kathy Anne (David) along with 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He graduated from Roxborough High School in 1946 and went on to serve with the U.S. Army in Japan from 1946 to 1948. He was Honorably Discharged in 1948 and attended Temple University where he received a degree in television from the Technical Institute. Elmer took his first job in television at station WATV in Trenton NJ and then went on to WCAU in Philadelphia where he spent 38 years in various positions ranging from cameraman and relief crew chief for one of the first live television shows "Action in the Afternoon" to Assistant Director of Operations and Engineering Department at WCAU-TV. Elmer retired in 1988 from his broadcasting career to share his love for the craft and his knowledge through being a keynote speaker at several high schools, authoring many technical journal articles, and participating in career seminars for young newcomers to the industry. In 2006, he was recognized with a Citation and Medal of Honor by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for his military service.

Outside of work, Elmer was an Assistant Scout Master, merit badge counselor, and member of the Executive Board for the Boy Scouts of America Valley Forge (Pa.) Council. He was awarded the Order of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America for his unselfish service, ideals, leadership and training in 1968. An avid amateur radio operator for many years as well as a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, Philadelphia Area Repeater Association and Telford Area Repeater Association, he also volunteered with the Montgomery County Emergency Management System. He and his wife participated for many years identifying and counting the number of hawks living or moving through the area. Elmer enjoyed taking his family on camping trips, canoeing, fishing, and woodworking. He was a humble man who lived a simple life that consisted of loving his family and sharing himself with those around him.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, July 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. and on July 13th from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral service and burial at George Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Habitat for Humanity and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in Allentown PA.

Funeral arrangements are by the Lownes Family Funeral Home of Lafayette Hill.