Frank E. LaVerghetta, 79, pioneer of early computer technology

Frank E. LaVerghetta, 79, of Ardmore, a Philadelphia-raised electrical engineer and pioneer of early computer technology, died Thursday, Jan. 10, at Lankenau Hospital from complications of heart disease.

Mr. LaVerghetta worked for 18 years for Philco and its successor, Philco-Ford Corp. In the 1950s with a group of engineers, he developed a transistorized computer, according to his brother-in-law, Robert Smargiassi.

Mr. LaVerghetta was developing the computer as part of a bombing system to be used by the military, Smargiassi said.

"That was very early in the computer days," said Smargiassi, who worked with Mr. LaVerghetta and married his twin sister, Helen.

In addition to engineering, Mr. LaVerghetta had a strong interest in education, Smargiassi said. In 1973, he joined Widener University, serving as assistant to the dean and managing a cooperative education program. He left the university in 1983 and did consulting work.

Mr. LaVerghetta and his late wife, Angela R. Sette, endowed scholarships at Marywood University in Scranton, as well as at Drexel University.

The son of Italian immigrants - his father owned a bakery in South Philadelphia - Mr. LaVerghetta graduated from South Philadelphia High School and studied at Drexel, earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and an MBA in business. He also pursued advanced studies in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was a world traveler and gourmet cook, the family said.

He is survived by two sisters, Helen Smargiassi and Ida Ciminale of Voorhees; six nieces and nephews; and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews.

A viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at St. John Neumann Church, 380 Highland Ave., Bryn Mawr. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m.

Donations can be made to the Frank E. and Angela R. LaVerghetta Scholarship Endowment Fund at Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 19104.