Franklin Himmelberger, an Allentown native who lived most of his life in Coopersburg, died on July 29, 2018 in Palm Harbor, Florida, at the age of 97. An engineer by training, he worked almost his entire career at Air Products & Chemicals Inc., having joined the company in its formative years. He was married to Charlotte Lottin Himmelberger, who died in 1988.

After his wife's death, his father-in-law, Julien Lottin, continued to live with him for several years until he died at age 100.

He was the son of Franklin and Marguerite Butz Himmelberger and graduated from the former Allentown High School, commuting there from Coopersburg via the former Liberty Bell Special trolley. His education at Lehigh University, where he earned two degrees, was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Franklin's unit fought its way across France with the earliest expeditionary forces after D-Day. He held the rank of lieutenant.

At Air Products, Franklin traveled globally to consult with business partners. He was especially proud of his work with the U.S. space program in its earliest years, and he made many trips to the Cape Canaveral area on behalf of Air Products before that region was developed as the country's home of space exploration.

Franklin loved maps and travel by car. He took his family on long summer vacation trips, visiting most of the continental states. He loved sports, and in his earlier years played softball and coached girls' basketball at the former Coopersburg High School.

Franklin and Charlotte were the parents of five daughters: Kathryn, wife of Gene Vogan, in Cumming, GA; Susan, wife of Glenn Kranzley, in Hellertown; Joan Himmelberger, in Allentown; Ann, wife of David Snyder of Pleasant Valley; and Carol, wife of Kevin Klaus, in Palm Harbor, FL. Carol and her family, along with the staff at Stratford Court Assisted Living, where he resided since 2014, took care of him in his final years.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Himmelberger and sister, Joyce, Mrs. Richard Eisenhart. His brother, Edward Himmelberger, lives in Beach Haven, N.J.. He also is survived by ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday Aug. 3. at St. John's UCC, 538 E. Thomas St., Coopersburg, 18036, followed by burial in Woodland Cemetery.