The campus community mourns the passing of Marguerite “Midge” Bechtel, who died on Friday, July 24, 2020. Marguerite retired from the Bertrand Library in 1985 after 25 years of service to the University.
Included below is the complete text of the obituary, as provided by the family.
You are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Marguerite’s family, as well as to all who knew her at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
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Marguerite “Midge” Bechtel passed away at the age of 97 years in the early hours of July 24, 2020, at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village. She was born March 8,1923, in Shenandoah, to William and Margaret (Brennan) Sampsel. Midge was married for 56 years to her beloved husband, Walter Bechtel, who preceded her in death in 2001.
Midge and Walt met at Millersville State Teachers College where she attained a degree in English and library sciences and was active there in various vocal ensembles. After Millersville, she attended graduate studies in library science at Duke University, earning a master’s degree before her return to central Pa. She and Walt enjoyed wintering on the beaches of the Carolinas in their retired years. Midge worked at Bucknell University’s Bertrand Library for 25 years before retiring. She enjoyed classical music, singing in her church choir and needle crafts as well as being an avid mystery reader. Reserved and polite on first meeting, those who knew her enjoyed her quick sense of humor and fine intelligence.
She is survived by sons, James of North Adams, Mass., Bill, of Lewisburg, Jack of Pittsburgh; daughter, Suann of Wilmington, N.C.; and grandchildren, Casey of Boston, Denver and Alex of Lewisburg.
In lieu of flowers or a contribution, please spend safe time with your friends and family.
The Bechtel family will plan a celebration for parents Marguerite and Walter Bechtel at Millersville University at a later date.
Arrangements are by the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Lewisburg.