Stokes Fenimore Burtis Jr. ’43

Stokes, who was on the corporate staff of RCA, supporting plant operations throughout the United States for 32 years until his retirement in 1985, died Nov. 27, 2009, at Crosslands in Kennett Square, Pa., surrounded by his family. He was 88.  

Born in Riverton, N.J., he moved as a child to Bethlehem, Pa., where he attended public schools until he entered Blair Academy. He received the headmaster’s prize at his graduation from Blair in 1939. At Princeton he was a member of Dial Lodge and the wrestling team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He joined the Army in 1944, became a second lieutenant, and headed a small-arms training group at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.

After military service, Stokes was an engineer with Western Electric Co. in Winston-Salem, N.C., for six years before joining RCA in 1953. His specialties at RCA included electronic design, automation, and robotics. He was awarded two patents for his inventions.

Stokes’ community work included service at the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church and the Swarthmore Borough Council.  

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Jane Louise Reninger; daughters Marianne Moorer and Betsy Stedje; a son, Stokes (“Bud”) III; and a grandson.