Louis R. McCreight, 94, of Woodcrest Villa, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was the husband of Malvina E. Smith McCreight with whom he celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on October 15, 2016. He was born in Zion, IL, son of the late Ralph B. and Phronia Benkendorf McCreight. Louis had a distinguished career in the atomic and aerospace fields, starting with being an Assistant Research Associate at MIT for the Manhattan Project (1944-45); Knolls Atomic Power Lab (1949-55); Manager of Materials Research and Development at General Electric Missile and Space Division (1955-81), where he held numerous US Patents. He furthered his career as Director of Materials Science Lab at Aerospace Corp, Segunda, CA from 1981 until his retirement in 1992.
Louis held both a BS and MS in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois. He was very active in the Boy Scouts, including president of the Chester County Council (1979-81); Vice-president of the Upper Main Line YMCA (1973-81); Officer of American Ceramic Society; ASTM Research Committee; and Materials Research Society. Louis was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster.
Surviving in addition to his wife, one son: Brian R. (Paula L.) McCreight, Washington Boro. One daughter: Barbara L. McCreight, San Jose, CA. Four grandchildren: Owen M., Tyler S., Chloe E. A., and Taylor N.T. McCreight. Three great-grandchildren: Kira Heaps, Owen M., Jr., and Braelyn A. McCreight. He was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Eagle Commons at Woodcrest Villa, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. with Chaplain Mim Cruz, officiating. The Family will greet friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: The Salvation Army, 131 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603 or the College of Engineering, University of Illilnois, 1308 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.
