Robert B. Brydon

Robert B. Brydon, 78, of 562 Cole Dr., Meadville, died Monday, March 14, 2005 at his residence following a sudden illness.

He was born in Erie January 22, 1927, a son of the late James K. and Anne B. Hendrie Brydon.  He married Martha McGovern June 16, 1951.

He was a 1944 graduate of Erie East High School and a 1951graduate of Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 and was on a troop ship for the invasion of Japan when World War II ended.  Upon arrival in Japan, he served in the occupation forces.  He retired as chief chemist for the former Abex Corp. (formerly American Breakshoe) in 1985 following 31 years of service.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee and Deacon Boards and was a member of the Sanctuary Choir his entire life in Meadville.  He also directed the choir for several years.  He was a Sunday School teacher for many years and he and his wife were advisors to the Baptist Youth Fellowship at one time.  He served on the Pastoral Search Committee and the Building Committee for the new educational wing of the church.  He was the choir director for the American Baptist Men of Pennsylvania and Delaware’s Retreat for several years.  In 1997, he was named American Baptist Man of the Year by the American Baptist Men of Pennsylvania and Delaware.

He was a an active member of Yesterday’s Sound and the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA).  He served as director of the chorus for seven years and sang in several registered quartets.

He was a former member of the Meadville Management Club and was formerly active at the Meadville YMCA.  When his son was young, he enjoyed coaching little league baseball and was an assistant Boy Scout leader.  He enjoyed woodworking, traveling around the U.S. and abroad, and was an avid gardener.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 53 years, include a daughter, Nancy E. Wilkinson and her husband Jack of Meadville; a son, James K. Brydon and his wife Lisa of Crofton, MD; 4 grandchildren, Ryan Wilkinson and his wife Jennifer, Nathan Wilkinson, Garrett Wilkinson, and Emily Brydon; a brother, Ronald H. Brydon and his wife Virginia of Millsboro, Del.; and nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, James K. and John I. Brydon.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral service will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 353 Chestnut St., Meadville with Pastor Rod Beardsley of the First Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs officiating assisted by Pastor Kent Haines of Cochranton Community Church.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Missions, 353 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335 or Yesterday’s Sound, c/o Tom Ritchey, P.O. Box 1116, Meadville, PA 16335.