Kurt Eberling Sr., 77; came up with SpaghettiOs

Kurt Eberling Sr., 77, a chef who developed recipes for Campbell Soup, died of cancer Monday at Paoli Hospital.

In 1964, Mr. Eberling went to work in the kitchens of the Research and Development Department at Campbell Soup Co., where he developed products for the U.S. and international markets.

"He was always bringing home samples for my brother, Kurt, and me to taste," his son Steven said. The boys liked the chunky beef stews but hated the corn-based soups Mr. Eberling created; the latter did well in Asian markets.

One of Mr. Eberling's early challenges for Campbell's was creating a spaghetti-and-meatballs product that would fit neatly in a can. He had a breakthrough, his son said, while cleaning up from dinner one night. He noticed a strand of spaghetti twirled in the sink and took the concept for SpaghettiOs to his supervisor, Ralph Miller. The new product, promoted by the popular "Uh-oh SpaghettiOs" jingle, became a big success.

For years, Mr. Eberling, who spoke five languages, traveled abroad for Campbell's, modifying recipes for foreign tastes. In 1985, an Australian reporter called him a "worldwide soup guru."

Mr. Eberling, who was past president of the Chefs Association of Philadelphia, retired in 1995.

A native of Aachen, Germany, Mr. Eberling immigrated to the United States in 1951. His sponsor owned a tavern in Philadelphia, where he worked to pay back his travel expenses and learned to cook.

During the Korean War, Mr. Eberling served in the Army in Germany and Austria, where he met his future wife, Maria Theresa "Marita" Gebhardt.

After his discharge, he was a chef at several country clubs before joining Campbell's.

For eight years, Mr. Eberling was a Boy Scout leader in Huntingdon Valley and used his vacations to take his troop camping. For many years, he tended bee colonies at Pennypack Watershed, and lectured to school groups and visitors about beekeeping. He was also a talented woodworker, and carved a Nativity diorama that has become a family heirloom, his son said.

In addition to his wife and sons, Mr. Eberling is survived by a daughter, Maria Carmen McDevitt; a sister, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. today at Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel, 333 County Line Rd., Feasterville. Friends may call at 4 p.m.