Peter Stelzenmuller, 49, engineer

Peter Stelzenmuller, 49, of Drexel Hill, an engineer who headed Penn Avionics Inc., died Thursday, Aug. 18, in an accident at home while testing scuba equipment he planned to use on vacation in Mexico.

In 1989, while working for Unisys, Mr. Stelzenmuller started Penn Avionics at Perkiomen Valley Airport. The firm repairs radios, navigation equipment, and other electronics on private planes.

In 1995, he left Unisys to run his business full time. Three years ago, he moved the company to Brandywine Airport in West Chester. His family plans to continue to operate the company.

His mother, Connie, said his introduction to aeronautics came early. When she was pregnant, she and her husband, Bernie, flew cross-country in the family's Cessna 140. Later their son slept in a crib tucked into the cockpit.

Bernie Stelzenmuller, an engineer, said he allowed his son when he was a child to take apart radios to see how they worked.

At 15, Mr. Stelzenmuller restored a 1963 Alfa Romeo and maintained a passion for vintage European sports cars.

Mr. Stelzenmuller grew up in Narberth and graduated from Lower Merion High School. He studied engineering at Villanova University and then worked for an electronics company and a security company. In 1984, he joined Burroughs Corp., now Unisys, as an electronic hardware designer.

Mr. Stelzenmuller was a talented photographer and an accomplished pianist. He had keyboards at home and at his office and practiced daily, his family said. He especially enjoyed playing the music of Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, and Steely Dan.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Stelzenmuller is survived by a sister, Carol Haslach; brothers Bill and Greg; and his close companion, Edythe Maa.

A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church, 27 Conshohocken State Rd., Bala Cynwyd. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Donations may be made to WXPN Radio, Attn. Deb Ashmore, Box 8419, Philadelphia 19101.