Obituary of Warren Ralph Bechtel

                                                                                                             Warren Ralph Bechtel  

     Warren Ralph Bechtel of Boonton, NJ died peacefully on December 31, 2025, at the Victoria Mews Assisted Living in Boonton Twp, NJ. He was 89 years old. 

Born at home in Allentown, PA on August 22, 1936, he was the fourth of five children born to the late Warren J. Bechtel and Margaret E. (Williams) Bechtel.  He graduated from Allentown High School in 1954 and Lafayette College in 1958. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961.   

Warren worked for more than 40 years in the telecommunications and financial services industries.  He was a charter member of the National Investor Relations Institute and a member of the Merchants Club of New York. He was a 60 year+ member of the Boonton United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the Board of Trustees, Finance Chairman, Chairman of the Church’s Building Fund Crusade, and Chairman of the Columbarium committee.  His community involvement included service as Chairman of the Boonton Planning Board, the Sewer Assessment Committee, and Boys Scout Leader to Cub Pack 103.  He was also a member of the Deer Lake Club, in Boonton Twp., for many years. 

He was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his friends and family.  Warren was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed playing sports trivia at Poor Henry’s Pub. He especially enjoyed following all Lafayette College sports teams and the Newton High School Lady Braves Field Hockey Team.

He was predeceased, in 2012, by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 54 years, Marilyn Sara (Heydt) Bechtel. He was also predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Bechtel, his sisters, Isabel Baumer and Ruth Groman, and by his loving companion in his later years, Louise Berghold Caciolo. 

He is survived by his three children, Michael Bechtel (Pamela), of Davie, FL, Joel Bechtel, of Harrisburg, PA, and Lisa Bechtel (Renée), of Hope, NJ, and his brother, Gary Bechtel (Jan), of Allentown, PA. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Marissa Palermo (Jonathan), Taylor Bechtel, Thomas Bechtel (Hannah), and Cassandra Miller (Joey); his great granddaughter Lennon Bechtel; and his dear friends Beth, Doug, Sally, and Perri Phelps. 

Memorial visitation will be at the Dangler Lewis & Carey  Funeral Home (www.danglerlewisandcareyfuneralhome.com), 312 West Main Street, Boonton, on Friday, January 9, from 3-7 pm.

A memorial worship service will be held at Boonton United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 10, beginning at 10:30 am, followed by inurnment in the church columbarium.

             Contributions in memory of Warren R. Bechtel can be made to the Memorial Fund of the Boonton United Methodist Church, 626 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005 to be used for the Food Bank (www.boontonumc.com).