Stephen Barthelmes

Stephen Norman Barthelmes, 88, previously of Martinsville, NJ for 51 years, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025 in The Reflections Memory Care Program at Brandywine Living at Pennington, where he resided since 2021. Stephen was the beloved husband of Hilde L. (Reutlinger) Barthelmes for almost 64 years. Born in Newark, NJ, Stephen was the son of the late Stefan J. Barthelmes and Rosina “Rose” (Blenk) Barthelmes. A 1954 graduate of Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge, NJ, he attended Stevens Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He earned the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1964. Stephen served in the United States Army. His early career was as an engineer at Bell Laboratories. Most of his career was spent in sales and marketing of satellite and other communications components at Siemens. He frequently traveled to Germany on business, visiting family while there. In the 1980s Steve worked tor French company Thomson CSF Electron Tube, developing a lifelong friendship with his Parisian counterpart Jean Collomb and his family. Following retirement from Siemens, Steve and his son Stephen N. Barthelmes, Jr. formed a start-up, SSB Technologies, later Stealth Microwave, where Steve served as President. Steve was instrumental in the restoration of the Martinsville Community Center and a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Martinsville, for 51 years. where he served as a cantor and usher. Steve played doubles tennis on Saturday mornings until about age 80. One of Steve’s greatest joys was sailing aboard his 36 ft. Catalina sailboat, The Primrose, with his dearest friend, since the age of 2, Bob Papen. Together they sailed up the Chesapeake and Hudson Rivers and to Block Island. Father’s Day and Steve’s Birthday were always spent aboard The Primrose with family. Steve and Bob enjoyed skiing together in the “off-sailing” months, with favorite destinations of Aspen, Colorado and Gestaad, Switzerland, where Steve was joined by his dear cousin Stefan Barthelmes. In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his infant granddaughter and goddaughter Caroline L. Granzow and very dear sister-in-law, Evelyn (Reutlinger) Hermann and cousins Norbert Stehn and Berhard “Bernie” Mock and cousin-in-law Ann Mock. Steve is survived by the love of his life, Hilde, daughter Catherine A. (Barthelmes) Granzow and son-in-law Russell T. Granzow, son Stephen N. Barthelmes, Jr. and daughter-in-law Cheryl A. Barthelmes, grandchildren Benjamin N. Granzow and spouse Evan L. Morrison, Sabrina E. Barthelmes, Grant M. Barthelmes, Timothy S. Granzow and Elise M. Granzow, brother-in-law, Adi Hermann, and cousins Christina “Liz” (Mock) Akos and husband Robert “Bob” Akos, Karl J. “Joe” Mock” and Teresa (Stehn) Elbe and their children. Steve’s cousins were like siblings to him.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 6-8pm at Blackwell Memorial Home, 21 N. Main St., Pennington, NJ 08534. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11am, at St. George Church, 1370 River Road (Rt. 29), Titusville, NJ, followed by burial in Harbourton Cemetery, Harbourton Rocktown Road, Hopewell Township, NJ.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association www.donorservices.alz.org.