Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Richard Tilghman Jr. NALLE
Richard Tilghman Nalle Jr., 88, a retired executive and former head of the Franklin Institute, died of cancer Friday at Beaumont, a retirement community in Bryn Mawr he helped found.
In 1981, Mr. Nalle was appointed chairman of the board of the Franklin Institute and the following year was elected president. His father had held the position 36 years earlier.
He told a reporter at the time that he hoped to bring the managerial experience he developed in industry to deal with problems the institute faced, including federal budget cuts.
"I'm not a scientist," he said, "but maybe now is a time for more administration and less science." During his three years as president, Mr. Nalle oversaw the sale of the institute's Franklin Research Center. He explained to a reporter in 1983 that the sale would permit the institute to focus on its hands-on-science museum.
Mr. Nalle served on numerous boards including the YMCA of Greater Philadelphia, the World Affairs Council, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Children's Aid Society, and the Atwater Kent Museum. He was former vice chairman of the Philadelphia Air Pollution Control Board. From 1985 to 1993, he chaired the board of Pennsylvania Hospital and received the hospital's Good Samaritan Award.
He believed in giving back to the community, said his daughter Elizabeth Rendall. "He was very hands on," she said. "He wanted to share his expertise and have a positive impact."
Mr. Nalle graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy. He had a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Princeton University and a master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. During World War II, he served in the Marine Corps as a fighter pilot in the Pacific.
After his discharge as a captain, he was with Westinghouse Corp. for 19 years. He later was assistant to the president of United Engineers and Constructors of Philadelphia and then was an executive with Electric Storage Battery Inc. He retired in 1982 as senior vice president of Inco ElectroEnergy Corp.
He and his wife, Joan Thayer Nalle, had lived at Beaumont since 2000. He had been chairman of Beaumont's board and was currently chairman of the finance committee. He enjoyed repairing residents' furniture in Beaumont's wood shop, and until shortly before his death, he could be found in the surrounding woods working to maintain Beaumont's abundant supply of firewood, his daughter said.
In addition to his wife of 57 years and daughter, Mr. Nalle is survived by a daughter, Jean Wolitarsky; a son, Richard III; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Rd., Gladwyne.
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