Obituary of James Calvin Dittmar

James C. Dittmar, 88, of Abington, Marine Corps WWII veteran, passed away on August 15, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Barbara A. Shetrone Dittmar. He was born on September 14, 1922 in Loysburg, PA. Jim graduated from Replogel High School in New Enterprise, PA in 1942 and served in the Phillippines at Zamboanga with the Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) and also in Bejing, China. After the war, he attended Penn State University graduating in 1951 with a degree in Parks and Recreation. During his career, Jim served as Director of Parks and Recreation for Kennett Square, Williamsport, Abington Township, and Radnor Township, retiring in 1992. He was most proud of his work developing Alvelthorpe Park in Abington, which was dedicated in May 1962 by former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. An avid sportsman, Jim played baseball for Penn State and golfed into his eighties. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters and their husbands; Kathy and Robert Joslyn and Paula and Daniel Zuckerman, by his grandchildren; Robert Joslyn, II and Kimberly Joslyn. He was also uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Agnes Dittmar, his twin brother, John, and his sister, Betty Snider. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 3, 2011, Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road (at Susquehanna Road), Abington, where friends will be received after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 527 Plymouth Road, Suite 403, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462or to Alvelthorpe Park, Attn. Doug Wendell, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046.