Obituaries

Holmdel Vet, A Bell Works Engineer And Math Professor, Dies At 77

Powell Whalen, a Rutgers University graduate, Bell Works mechanical engineer, math professor and army veteran died April 10. He was 77.

Powell Whalen, a Rutgers University graduate, Bell Works mechanical engineer, math professor and army veteran died April 10. He was 77.
Powell Whalen, a Rutgers University graduate, Bell Works mechanical engineer, math professor and army veteran died April 10. He was 77. (Provided to Patch)

HOLMDEL, NJ - Powell Whalen of Delray Beach, Florida, and Holmdel, New Jersey passed away peacefully at his Florida home on April 10 at the age of 77.

Whalen was born February 1, 1944 in Waukegan, Illinois to the late Kemener and Avis Whalen. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University shortly before he was drafted into the army and stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Whalen continued his education while in the service and graduated from New Mexico State University with his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. In his professional life, Powell worked for AT&T Bell Labs for over 30 years.

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Upon retirement, Powell became a math professor at Middlesex County Community College in Edison.

“Powell will be remembered by his family as a man who loved reading science fiction novels, pouring over theoretical math equations, and playing video games with his children and grandchildren,” his obituary reads. “He also enjoyed windsurfing at Sandy Hook, spending summers in Long Beach Island, and exploring the parks in Palm Beach County while spending time with his family. He had a life well lived.”

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He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Beverly Whalen, and his children, Kevin Whalen (Shelby), Scott Whalen (Jennifer), and Nicole Whalen, as well as his grandchildren, Ellie and Cole Whalen. He was predeceased by his eldest brother Dr. James Whalen (Maine) and he will be dearly missed by his siblings Claire Tinker (Maryland), Michael Whalen (Vermont), Rita Whalen (Vermont), Mark Whalen (New Jersey), Matthew Whalen (California), Mary Avis Flowers (Colorado), and Nina Whalen (Indiana).

A funeral service will take place at noon on Tuesday, May 4 at St. Louis Catholic Church (7270 SW 120 St. Miami, FL 33156) followed by an interment with Military Honors at 3 p.m. at South Florida National Cemetery (6501 S. State Rd 7, Lake Worth, Florida). The funeral service at St. Louis Catholic Church will be live streamed on http://www.stlcatholic.org/live-feed.

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