Milton Lowe, missile program manager
Milton H. Lowe, 89, formerly of Cherry Hill, a former program manager for the Aegis missile guidance program in Moorestown, died of complications from heart failure on Monday, Feb. 1, at the Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.
Milton H. Lowe, 89, formerly of Cherry Hill, a former program manager for the Aegis missile guidance program in Moorestown, died of complications from heart failure on Monday, Feb. 1, at the Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Lowe graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan and at 17 became a Navy aviation electronic technician, serving shipboard during World War II in San Diego, Calif., and off Bermuda.
When he returned to civilian life, he studied electrical engineering at the Cooper Union in Manhattan before earning a bachelor's in physics at La Salle University.
While attending night classes throughout his La Salle career, he was already working at Radio Corp. of America in Camden, his daughter, Susan Hoffman, said.
At RCA into the 1970s, Hoffman said, Mr. Lowe was helping to develop aircraft detection radar programs.
Then, while commuting daily from his Cherry Hill home, Mr. Lowe became an executive for a North Jersey office of ITT Corp., a manufacturing company.
After becoming ITT deputy director for worldwide operations, his daughter said, he returned to RCA and became program manager for the Aegis shipboard communications system.
"He really missed working on that military project," his daughter said.
For a time, he also was the manager for the RCA ground-wave emergency network that would be put into place following a nuclear attack.
A former president of the B'nai B'rith organization in Cherry Hill, Mr. Lowe was a former vice commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 126 there.
A friend for more than 15 years, Bernard Epworth was commander of the JWV post during Mr. Lowe's years there.
"A really fine gentleman," Epworth said. "Very bright, a great executive."
Mr. Lowe "was a regular guy," Epworth said, "with a very keen mind."
The Chapel of Four Chaplains awarded him its Legion of Honor. And for a time in retirement, he was a docent on the Battleship New Jersey.
"He loved that docent job," his daughter said. "He was so proud of his military career."
In his daily life, she said, "Dad was the toughest, most ethical, smartest guy I've ever known. I like to think he inspired me to be as tough as I can be."
Besides his daughter, Mr. Lowe is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis, son Allen, and two grandchildren.
A visitation was set for 10:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill, before a 10:45 a.m. JWV service and an 11 a.m. funeral service, with interment in Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill.
Donations may be sent to Furer-Barag-Wolf Post 126, Jewish War Veterans, at www.jwv-post126.org.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.plattmemorial.com.
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