David Q. Voigt
David Q. Voigt, 89, of Cumru Twp., passed away on January 16, 2016, at his residence. He was the husband of Virginia (Erb) Voigt, married Dec. 27, 1951. Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Henry Wm. and Ethel (Osmond) Voigt, who were former Albright professors.
A 1944 graduate of the Hershey Industrial School (Milton Hershey School), he graduated from Albright College in 1948. In 1949, he received an M.A. degree in history from Columbia University and in 1962, he received his Ph.D in social science from Syracuse University. In 2010, Albright College awarded him the Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
As an educator, Voigt taught social studies for six years in New York State High Schools. In 1956, he began his college teaching career teaching history, sociology and anthropology at Millersville State College. He taught sociology and chaired the department at Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, in 1963 and the following year, he returned to Albright College, where he taught for 34 years, retiring in 1998.
Among his honors, Voigt received a Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1974; in 1977, he received an Albright Alumnus National Citation Award; in 1993, he was chosen Alumnus of the Year by the Milton Hershey School; in 1999, the North American Society for Sports History held a Baseball Symposium in his honor at Albright. Voigt is listed in “Who’s Who in America” and in “Outstanding Educators of America.”
As an author, Voigt wrote seven books on Major League Baseball history. His three volume history, “American Baseball,” is regarded as a classic work on the subject. He also published nearly 200 articles on baseball. In 2009, he was named King of Baseball Town by the Reading Phillies. Voigt also coached many baseball teams in Berks youth leagues and recounted his experiences leading one of them in “A Little League Journal.”
Voigt’s memberships included the American Sociological Association, American Anthropological Assn. and The Popular Culture Assn. He was a charter member of the North American Society for Sports History, a member and past President of the Society for American Baseball Research, and a past President of the Pennsylvania Sociology Association.
A World War II veteran, Voigt served in the Army Air Corps. He retired in 1973 as a Major in the Air Force Reserve. He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Shillington. He was predeceased by his brother, H. William Voigt.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Virginia E. Voigt; sons: David J. Voigt, husband of Nancy, of Sinking Spring, and Mark W. Voigt, husband of Mary, of Blue Bell, PA; grandchildren: Carly Hertzog, wife of Chris, and Jesse, Grady, Gregory and Patrick Voigt; great-grandchild, Adelaide Hertzog.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. A memorial service/Celebration of Life will be held at Immanuel UCC, 99 S. Waverly St., Shillington, on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. A private interment will be at the convenience of the family. Bean Funeral Home of Shillington is in charge of arrangements; online condolences may be made at .