Drexel Ross Biddle – September 2, 2023

Drexel Ross Biddle, 89, was called home on September 2, 2023, where he is now reunited with his loving wife, Donna. He was born July 7, 1934, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to the late James and Virginia (Bell) Biddle and grew up in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania. He was as unique as his first name and went by “Red”, a nod to his bright red hair. He was a 1952 graduate of Bellefonte High School. On June 15, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Marie (Copenhaver). They started a family adding three daughters, Denise, Deanne and Deborah – the five “D’s”!

Drexel enlisted in the Air Force in 1954. As a boy he was always interested in electronics. This led him to choose a career field in Television and Communications, Ballistic Missile Electronics and Aircraft Maintenance. He won many awards and recognition for his contributions in his chosen field. He always said joining the Air Force was one of the best decisions he ever made.

The family would move 7 times throughout his career. Some of their favorite memories are the times spent in the Philippines. His last assignment was Colorado Springs (NORAD) in 1971. Drexel and Donna loved Colorado so much that they decided to make it their forever home and he retired in May 1976 after 22 years of service. He attended Regis College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1989. All his education and training led him to his second career with School District 11 in Colorado Springs as a Tech Services Manager from 1976 to 1998.

He was a long-time member of the Lions Club. He loved participating in the vision screening events for local school children, parking cars for Labor Day Lift Off and manning the tree lot at Christmas. He attended First Lutheran Church and was blessed by the many meaningful opportunities it provided him to serve others; as a greeter, usher and kitchen assistant for the Marion House Soup Kitchen. Shortly after his wife’s passing his dear friend, Dave Weesner, asked him to help move and reassemble his Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. Not only did he find new friends through the year-long process, but it also occupied him and helped him through that difficult time. His daughters credit this very special instrument with helping their father heal and they will fondly remember the many concerts they attended at the Immanuel Organ Gym.

Drexel is survived by his daughters, Denise (Bill) Myers, Deanne and Deborah; his grandchildren, Brittany, Elyse, Chelsea (Michael) Lahr, Addie (Erick) Green, Andrew and Daniel; 7 great grandchildren; his sister Janet (Jim) McClellan; sister, Dolores Rishel and brother Edward (Vickie) Biddle; his dear friend Judith Olson; loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years Donna (Copenhaver); brother-in-law, Wayne Rishel.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 29, 2023, at 1:00 pm at First Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Service will be live streamed at youtube.com: First Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs. An inurnment will follow at a later date in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania.

Drexel will always be remembered for his wit and sense of humor so in lieu of flowers tell someone a joke, make them laugh or just share a smile with someone who looks like they need one. Donations can be made to First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.