Obituary for Bernard M. Solon
Dr. Bernard M. Solon, 89, of Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.
Born on April 15, 1932, in Bayonne, NJ, he was the son of the late Michael and Marie (Lorczak) Solon and the widower of Eleanor (Zimmerman) Solon, who passed away in 2019.
Dr. Solon was a US Army veteran who served in Germany from 1955-1956. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and went on to receive his PhD in Aquatic Ecology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Solon began his teaching career at Rahway, NJ High School before moving to Union County College, Cranford, NJ where he was a Full Professor and Chairman of the Biology Department. He moved into college administration as Dean of Science and in 1980 was offered the position of Dean of Academic Affairs at Harrisburg Area Community College, a position he held until 1990. Dr. Solon returned to teaching, his true passion, until his retirement in 1995.
During his retirement, Dr. Solon and Eleanor traveled extensively throughout the world, with excursions to China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Central America and Europe. He enjoyed sharing these experiences through ‘travel log’ lectures at Messiah Village with friends and neighbors.
Dr. Solon is survived by his children, Richard T. Solon and wife Margie of Wayne, PA, Steven M. Solon and wife Kathryn of East Berlin, PA, Elizabeth S. Frantz and husband Karl of Camp Hill, PA, Dr. Eric G. Solon and wife Denise of Unionville, PA, Mark D. Solon and wife Meri of Virginia Beach, VA, and David W. Solon and wife Connie of Lancaster, NH. In addition to his children Dr. Solon is survived by his grandchildren, Kathryn Solon Cline, Lauren Solon DeCastro, Karen Solon, Michael Solon, John Frantz, Kiersten Frantz, Danielle Solon, Katherina Solon, Dr. Christine Solon Hall, and Casey Solon as well as great grandchildren Jacob and Alice Cline, Aila Solon - De Castro, Hughy and Sage Solon-Canny, and Kairi Solon. He is also survived by his sister, Arline Ferguson and his sister-in-law Margaret Solon, both of Mechanicsburg.
In addition to his wife Eleanor, he was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard Solon.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 310 Hertzler Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. A visitation will be held in the church on Tuesday from 1:30 P.M. until the time of the service. A private burial will be held in Tri-County Memorial Gardens, Lewisberry, PA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals, 328 Upper Gulph Rd, Radnor, PA 19087
Born on April 15, 1932, in Bayonne, NJ, he was the son of the late Michael and Marie (Lorczak) Solon and the widower of Eleanor (Zimmerman) Solon, who passed away in 2019.
Dr. Solon was a US Army veteran who served in Germany from 1955-1956. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and went on to receive his PhD in Aquatic Ecology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Solon began his teaching career at Rahway, NJ High School before moving to Union County College, Cranford, NJ where he was a Full Professor and Chairman of the Biology Department. He moved into college administration as Dean of Science and in 1980 was offered the position of Dean of Academic Affairs at Harrisburg Area Community College, a position he held until 1990. Dr. Solon returned to teaching, his true passion, until his retirement in 1995.
During his retirement, Dr. Solon and Eleanor traveled extensively throughout the world, with excursions to China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Central America and Europe. He enjoyed sharing these experiences through ‘travel log’ lectures at Messiah Village with friends and neighbors.
Dr. Solon is survived by his children, Richard T. Solon and wife Margie of Wayne, PA, Steven M. Solon and wife Kathryn of East Berlin, PA, Elizabeth S. Frantz and husband Karl of Camp Hill, PA, Dr. Eric G. Solon and wife Denise of Unionville, PA, Mark D. Solon and wife Meri of Virginia Beach, VA, and David W. Solon and wife Connie of Lancaster, NH. In addition to his children Dr. Solon is survived by his grandchildren, Kathryn Solon Cline, Lauren Solon DeCastro, Karen Solon, Michael Solon, John Frantz, Kiersten Frantz, Danielle Solon, Katherina Solon, Dr. Christine Solon Hall, and Casey Solon as well as great grandchildren Jacob and Alice Cline, Aila Solon - De Castro, Hughy and Sage Solon-Canny, and Kairi Solon. He is also survived by his sister, Arline Ferguson and his sister-in-law Margaret Solon, both of Mechanicsburg.
In addition to his wife Eleanor, he was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard Solon.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 310 Hertzler Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. A visitation will be held in the church on Tuesday from 1:30 P.M. until the time of the service. A private burial will be held in Tri-County Memorial Gardens, Lewisberry, PA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals, 328 Upper Gulph Rd, Radnor, PA 19087