William J. H. Hough, Jr.

Posted

William J. H. Hough, Jr. died at The Hill at Whitemarsh in Lafayette Hill, PA on Monday 13 October 2014, of heart failure after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 88 years old. Bill grew up in Ambler, PA. In 1944, he graduated from George School in Newtown, PA. He served in the United States Navy in WW II aboard the ammunition ship, Akutan. He graduated from Haverford College in 1950 and the University of Pennsylvania in 1955, where he studied architecture. He was a partner in the architectural firm, Harbeson, Hough, Livingston, and Larson, which later became known as H2L2, In 1960, he took his wife and two young sons to live in Sweden for a year, while he studied and practiced architecture. He was a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), and served that group in various capacities. During his career, he participated in or was lead on many large architectural projects, including: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Nurses Education Building in Philadelphia; Glenville State College New performing Arts Center; West Virginia University Economics Building; the Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr, now known as the Bryn Mawr Library; the historic restoration of the Kearsley Retirement Home; Germantown Acadamy Recreation Building and their Science Facility; Ephrata Public Library; Philadelphia Pharmacy and Science Campus, Students Center, Dining Center, and Dormitory; Haveford College, North Dorms, historic restoration of Founders Hall, Chase Hall restoration; Reading Area Community College Library; and renovation of several buildings at the University of Pennsylvania. Bill loved to sing, had a beautiful baritone voice, and was not shy about sharing it. As a member of the Savoy Opera Company, he performed as lead in five shows. He was always proud of the fact that he was able to sing Happy Birthday to the Queen of England. He was a member of the Union League Glee Club, and as a member of the Mastersingers, he sang with his wife Nancy. Bill and Nancy are also remembered for their talented performances at family weddings and numerous other events. Bill had a zest for life. He loved working on his house and property at “502.” His children will long remember being awakened much too early on weekend mornings by his thunderous clapping and his operatic stage voice calling, “Everybody up, lots to do! Lots to do!” He loved projects, and was never happier than when something broke, so that he could fix it. He loved the outdoors, and especially loved cold weather. He loved the solitude of nature, yet also loved the company of good people. He was known for his charm and graciousness, and for his keen and lively interest in the people around him. Bill was the husband of the late Jane Pendergrass Hough and of the late Rosanne “Nancy” Knerr Kupper Hough. He is survived by his five children: T. Bradford Hough, Lawrie K. Haasis and her husband John C. Haasis, III, Eugene P. Hough and his wife Barbara A. Hill, William J. H. Hough III, and Ricarda S. Kupper, as well as four grandchildren: Carrie K. Zuckerman, J. Christian Haasis, IV, W. Blake Haasis and Coby R. Haasis. He is also survived by his twin brother, Charles S. Hough, sister-in-law, Nancy H. Hough, their three children and four grandchildren. The family would especially like to extend heartfelt thanks to the kind, caring, dedicated people who helped Bill remain engaged, content, and comfortable to the end of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, in honor of Bill’s late wife, Jane, or to the Alzhiemer’s Association, in honor of his late wife, Nancy. A memorial service is planned at Upper Dublin Friends Meeting, 1506 Fort Washington Avenue, Ambler, PA, for Thursday 23 October 2014 at 3:00 pm.

deathnotices