Remembering John R. Post
Transformational benefactor’s legacy lives on through Reading CollegeTowne and Alvernia’s School of Engineering
Â鶹ÊÓƵ mourns the loss of a cherished friend and benefactor of the university whose generosity helped shape the future of Reading CollegeTowne, engineering education and downtown Reading.
John's legacy is permanently woven into the tapestry of Alvernia and downtown Reading. He and his wife, Maryanne, made the university’s largest individual philanthropic commitment to date. In recognition of his extraordinary leadership, generosity, and belief in our Franciscan Catholic mission, the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne stands as a daily reminder of his commitment to educational opportunity and community revitalization.
Likewise, his support for the John R. Post School of Engineering reflects his conviction that innovation, workforce development, and access to high-quality education are essential to our region’s future prosperity. Because of his generosity, generations of engineers will be equipped to tackle the region’s greatest challenges and support local industry, just as John and his father, Carl, did for many years.
His influence does not end with his name on a building. The scholarships, programs, and partnerships made possible through his philanthropy are actively changing the trajectories of students finding their way to Alvernia. Many may never have known John personally, but will carry forward the opportunities he made possible.
Beyond Alvernia, Post served as a director of the Bank of Pennsylvania, Dauphin Deposit Bank and Trust Company, Investors Trust Company, Post Precision Properties, and the John R. Post Charitable Trust. He was also a member of the American Society for Metals, the American Foundry Society, and the Advisory Council of Holy Name High School.
His leadership, service, and philanthropy earned him numerous honors, including the Shield of Loyola Award from Saint Joseph’s University (2006); the Beta Gamma Sigma Award, Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph’s University (2012); the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award from Reading Central Catholic High School (2013); the Sacred Heart Legacy Award (2019); and the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence (2020).
will be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 740 Cherry Street, West Reading, Pa. 19611, followed by entombment at Gethsemane Mausoleum. Friends may call on Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, Pa. 19611.