Carl L. Bagenstose, 89, of Sinking Spring,
passed away Wednesday, January 20th, peacefully, at Manor Care Health Services.
The widower of Nancy (Heckman) Bagenstose, who died in 2001, Carl was born in Reading on August 27, 1926, a son of the late Ruth M. (Ammarell) and Arthur S. Bagenstose.
He was a National Honor Society member and Senior Band member as a drummer and percussionist. He was also a member of the Senior Orchestra and Marching Band as well as the West Reading Police Cadets Junior Drum and Bugle Corps.
Upon graduating from Reading High School in 1944, Carl joined the U.S. Navy under the Air crewman program, which consisted of a Special Air crewman Boot Camp at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, to become a radioman, Gunnery School and Squadron Operations, flying in TBF's and TBM's, the heaviest single engine planes in the world.
He was a member of St. John's Reformed Church Sinking Spring, PA 19608.
He was last employed as a insurance auditor at Choice Point Commercial Specialists Jenkintown. Prior to that, he worked for the American Casualty Company (CNA).
In 1957, Carl helped found the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, who went on to become the VFW National Champions in 1960, '61 and '62. They were the youngest, first and only corps to ever accomplish this feat. They won in 1960 in Detroit, 1961 in Miami and 1962 in Minneapolis. As of 2010, the Reading Buccaneers have won all world World Championships since 2005 except 2011, when they finished 2nd, and consecutive World Titles.
He was a member of American Legion Reber-Moore Post #0635 and was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles and the Reading Phillies.
He is survived by a daughter, Koren A. Seibertrand; 2 sisters, Fern E. Graul, of Sinking Spring, June M. Focht, of Kenhorst. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and was predeceased by a daughter, Karen S. Bagenstose-Schlieve, in 1978.
Memorial Service at Feeney Funeral Home, Reading, PA, Tuesday, January 26, at 12 noon. Friends, relatives, fellow Buccaneers and Veterans are invited to attend his Memorial Service. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Indiantown Gap at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society , 498 Bellevue Avenue, Laureldale, PA 19605, or Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, P.O. Box 13032, Reading, PA 19612, or at readingbuccaneers.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, in Reading's Centre Park Historic District, 625 N. 4th St. at Centre Ave. (Route 61), Reading, PA 19601.
Obituary, directions and condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.
