George L. Wisehaupt, 102

May 14, 2025

George L. Wisehaupt, D.D.S., age 102, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, after a brief illness. He was the son of the late David Franklin and Mae (Boyer) Wisehaupt. George is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia A. (Eshleman) Swank-Wisehaupt; they enjoyed 53 years together.

Born in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Port Royal High School in June 1940. An important part of his youth was his service in the military during WWII. During the summers of 1939 and 1940 he attended Citizens Military training camp and after graduation was employed at Glenn L. Martin, Baltimore as an essential military worker assigned in the PBM3 manufacturing area where he eventually became an assistant foreman. After 9 months of deferment as an essential war worker, anxious to continue serving his country, George enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1943. After basic training he attended the New England School of Aeronautical Engineering and was quickly assigned to a bomber group in Glatton, England in December 1943 where he spent his time as an airplane mechanic and a waist gunner on B17 bombers. During his service, he flew on 16 missions over Europe and was awarded 6 bronze stars for his participation in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.

Following WWII, he completed pre-dental studies at Franklin & Marshall College and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951. George began his dental career with Dr. Charles Gaige where he made an immediate impact by serving as the dentist at Stevens Trade School providing dental care to the students. With a commitment to providing the best dental care, he continued to serve the community through his private practice in Grandview Heights for the next 49 years. During this time, he also served 22 years on the dental staff at Lancaster General Hospital.

George enriched many lives and contributed in important ways through several organizations some of which included serving as President of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club, a member of the Conestoga Chapter of the American Business Club and a life member of the American Dental Association. He was a member of the Hamilton Club for 57 years. Faith was also an important part of his life which he practiced with his wife, Sylvia. He was a founding member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, a long-time member of the Donegal Presbyterian Church where he served as a Trustee, and more recently attended Harvest Presbyterian Church.

George had many hobbies and interests during life. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake, spending summer vacations in Canada, and winter ski trips with family. He loved collecting classic model cars and tapped his feet to the music of the big bands. He will always be remembered fondly for his story telling ability, like it was just yesterday.

Above all, what meant most to George was his family. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. In addition to his wife Sylvia, George is survived by his children; Denise Royer and husband James of Mount Joy; David Wisehaupt and wife Nancy (Havekotte) of Lancaster; Pamela Tynan and husband Kevin of Wayne; Susan Dunn and husband Robert of Kennett Square; stepchildren: Jennifer (Swank) Randall and husband Roger of Lancaster, and Jonathan Swank, MD, husband of Eva Marie (Rasnake) of Glade Spring, VA. Additionally, he is survived by 15 grandchildren: Daniel, Caitlin, Christopher, Meghan, Trey, Griffin, Garrett, Stephen, Lindsay, Sarah, Joshua, Matthew, Rebekah, Rachel, and Andrew. He is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother John
Wisehaupt of Lewistown, Pennsylvania and his first wife, Irene (Taylor) Wisehaupt.

A private graveside interment, with military honors and with family and friends in attendance, was presided over by Pastor James Furey of Harvest Presbyterian Church on May 23, 2025.