In Memoriam

Navy Lt.Eugene Vickers, Newtown Square’s Oldest Veteran

Our Community by Bob Blaisse

Navy Lt. H. Eugene Vickers passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Friday, July 15. He was 106 years old and has four daughters, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Vickers was born on November 11, 1915. He married his childhood sweetheart, Betty, in 1944, and just two months later, he left to serve his country in World War II. Mr. Vickers entered the Navy as a Lieutenant, and was sent to Harvard for training required to serve as a Communications Officer. He was also assigned to serve as Chaplain and later as a Signal Officer on the USS Panamint AGC-13, performing assaults, capturing Okinawa and Le Shima Islands and fighting in the battles of Iwo Jima and New Guinea.

In 1946, he returned to our area and built a home with his wife Betty in Newtown Square, where they raised their four daughters: Betty Jean, Barbara, Brenda and Beverly.

Mr. Vickers

Photo by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com

Perhaps you recognize Mr. Vickers. Many considered him a local celebrity after he was honored on Veterans Day with an impressive parade to celebrate his 105th birthday. Military Personnel, Police Officers, First Responders, Veterans, friends and families joined in the celebration that began at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial and continued to his home on Overbrook Drive.

Mr. Vickers’s service to our country and his incredible life story garnered the attention of local television stations, newspapers and our very own Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine. Over the past few years, we asked you to join us in wishing Mr. Vickers a happy birthday and thanking him for his service. Mr. Vickers’ daughter Barbara said that he received hundreds of cards and each one meant so much to him.

On behalf of your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Vickers family.