James R. “Jim” Miltenberger, 87, died on Aug. 14, 2024, at his home in Moravian Village, Bethlehem.

Born Sept. 6, 1936, in Johnstown, he was a son of the late Omar W. and Nelle Pensyl Miltenberger.

He was married to his bride, Nancy, for 59 years last May.

He graduated from Penn State with a degree in civil engineering and after being commissioned as an ensign, spent more than 20 years on active duty in the Navy.

He started on a destroyer and then moved to the submarine service.

Later, he was selected to participate in Admiral Rickover’s elite nuclear submarine program.

He served on five submarines, with his last sea duty as commanding officer of the USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN 635).

He earned a Master’s degree from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was a licensed professional engineer.

He was one of those fortunate people who enjoyed challenging and fascinating work throughout his career.

After retiring from the Navy at the rank of commander, he joined Pennsylvania Power and Light Company in 1981 as the nuclear safety assessment manager.

He sat on several nuclear safety review committees and presented numerous technical papers to professional organizations.

Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, he visited the Kursk nuclear power station in Russia as part of a technology exchange.

An avid skier since boyhood, he skied many of the principal resorts of North America and Europe, and was a season pass holder at Blue Mountain for decades.

He was a dedicated bicyclist, an enthusiastic tennis player, and an expert small boat sailor.

He took up golf at age 70 and spent his remaining years struggling to break 100.

A studious person who read widely, after retirement, he enjoyed giving lectures on historical topics to the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Cedar Crest College, and was an active participant in the Tuesday morning discussions of Charlie’s Round Table at Muhlenberg College.

He participated in the West Allentown Kiwanis Club, serving as president, treasurer, and secretary over the years.

He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Theta Xi social fraternity and Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi academic honor societies.

He was an Eagle Scout.

In addition to his wife Nancy (Lunsford) Miltenberger, he is survived by a son Bill Miltenberger; daughter Sheri Miltenberger; grandsons James, Thomas and Daniel; brothers Arthur Miltenberger (Marie) and Robert Miltenberger (Rachael); and “Lucky,” a recently adopted rescue dog.

His memorial service will be 11 a.m. Aug. 31 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1533 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104.

There will be a calling period 9:30-11 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.

Condolences may be offered at brubakerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made by Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc., Catasauqua.