DAVID M. BALTIMORE

DAVID M. BALTIMORE October 27, 1920 - March 5, 2016 David M. Baltimore, 95, of Kingston, died Saturday evening, March 5, 2016, with family by his side.

David was the son of Louis G. and Goldye Katzman Baltimore of Harrisburg, Pa. He graduated from William Penn High School in 1938 and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1942 with a degree in electrical engineering. During World War II he served in the Army Signal Corps. working on radar-guided missiles (Azon bomb).

While on leave from the army he married Muriel Ball of Scranton on January 1, 1943 so the two have been married for 73 years. Children Terry, Lynn and Charles followed.

After the war David went into the business founded by his father, Louis... WBRE-AM & FM in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. But he realized that the new, exciting medium would be television and so with a loan from RCA he established WBRE-TV which went on the air New Year's Day, January 1, 1953. WBRE-TV, a UHF station and NBC affiliate, would become the world's first 1-million watt then 5-million watt television station. As an engineer, technology was extremely important to him so Color Television was added and he challenged RCA to develop equipment that made operations easier, like the first video cartridge tape machines.

WBRE-TV flourished despite the rise of cable television which began in WBRE-TV's coverage area. So David spent an inordinate amount of time fighting for proper protections for over-the-air broadcasters both at the F.C.C., National Association of Broadcasters and anywhere he could find an audience. Through a chance meeting in France at an international programming conference, David became instrumental in bringing the Smurfs to the U.S. In 1984 WBRE-TV was sold to Northeastern Television Investors and David retired.

David had four loves: his wife, Muriel, and his family; television broadcasting; tennis; and his local community. All were involved to one degree or another with running the radio and television operations. Lynn worked there before moving on to NBC Sports, Terry and Charles were there until the sale. David and Muriel belonged to the Valley Swim and Tennis Club where they enjoyed tennis with their many friends until David ran out of playing partners of similar age (85). David and Muriel enjoyed traveling to Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open as well as travel to many parts of the world. David also was active in the Harveys Lake Yacht Club where he was Commodore and sailed competitively for years with Muriel, Terry or Charles as crew.

And the Wyoming Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania were a lifelong passion in terms of providing leadership, financial support, and direction. Chairman of the Jewish Federation/UJA fund drive and Board of Directors; President of Temple B'nai B'rith of Kingston where he spearheaded the fund-raising and oversaw the construction of the current synagogue which was opened in 1959 (the family endowed the Baltimore Library in the temple upon its opening); Board of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital; Westmoreland Club and an active Founders' Table member; Board of the Kirby Center where he was instrumental in raising the funds for its renovation; and he was active for decades in working to spur economic development in the region, serving on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Industrial Fund and the Committee for Economic Growth. After fifty years of service, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce named Baltimore Drive in the East Mountain Office Park after David. David encouraged his children to be active in local charitable institutions such as the United Way which the family supports strongly to this day.

David is survived by Muriel, his beloved wife of 73 amazing years.

By his children, Terry, Soni, Lynn, Charles and Kim. By his grandchildren, Karin and Jonathan Schweiger, Michael and Robyn Baltimore, Louis Baltimore and his fiancAC. Lindsey Linkow, Ross Baltimore, Molly Baltimore, Lauren Baltimore and by his great-grandson, Jacob Schweiger and his step-great grandchildren Dawson and Jayson Hummel.

His family is indebted to Anne Gates for her overwhelming love, care and devotion. Anne could always make David laugh which was the best medicine. We thank Maureen Powell, Barbara Gates and Louise Kondraki for their dedication and love. They could be every bit as stubborn as he was. And thank you to Mary Simoncavage and Eleanor Zbegner for their long time love and support. And his family is grateful to all of his caregivers at Erwines Nursing, Mary Ellen S. Tracey, Regina, Chrissie, Joyce, Andrea, Julie and Sue. David was lucky to always be surrounded by his wonderful ladies.

The funeral will be held at Temple B'nai Brith at 408 Wyoming Avenue in Kingston on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 1:00PM.

Shiva will be observed at the Baltimore Home, 48 Reynolds Street in Kingston.

Tuesday, March 8th from 7:00-9:00PM.
Wednesday, March 9th from 2:00-4:00PM and 7:00-9:00PM
Thursday, March 10th from 2:00- 4:00PM

Contributions may be made to the Baltimore Library at Temple B'nai Brith in Kingston or to The United Way of Wyoming Valley.

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