The founder of East Penn Manufacturing and his wife have given $2 million to Lehigh Valley Health Network to develop the hospital system's 13th endowed chair.

Interest generated from the Timothy M. Breidegam Endowed Chair in Neurology will support research and education, LVHN said in a statement announcing the gift from Helen and DeLight Breidegam Jr.

The chair honors the couple's son, Timothy, who died at age 21 in 1978 during his last semester at Moravian College.

When the chair was announced Thursday during an event at the Lehigh Country Club, Timothy was remembered as a generous young man who led many clubs, teams and organizations and donated his time teaching English to Spanish-speaking residents of Allentown.

"Our endowed chairs allow us to improve patient care, thereby creating a healthier community," said Ronald W. Swinfard, president and chief executive officer of Lehigh Valley Health Network. "These endowed chairs are made possible by very generous donors such as the Breidegams. Their philanthropy helps us take that extra step from great to excellent."

Health network neurologist John Castaldo has been named the chair holder.

The chair "will live on in perpetuity, providing funds to advance the diagnosis, treatment and research for neurological care in our region," Castaldo said. "It is truly an awesome privilege and a profound responsibility to accept this gift, and to know that it will propel us from regional to national excellence."

In 1946, DeLight Breidegam founded East Penn Manufacturing Company, the world's largest independent battery manufacturer and producer of Deka batteries.

East Penn is the largest employer in Berks County. The company has remained a family businessdaughter Sally Miksiewicz is the chief executive officer and son Daniel Breidegam serves as vice president of metals.

Daniel Patrick Sheehan

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Couple gives $2 million to honor late son, create chair in neurology at LVHM