Obituary of Scott Deacle

Scott Deacle, age 47, of Trappe, PA passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, May 5, 2023.

He was born in Newport News, Virginia on October 12, 1975, the son of Robert Deacle and Jane (Register) Deacle and grew up southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. 

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in history from The College of William and Mary. His first job was covering local government and the community at the Wake Weekly newspaper in Wake Forest, N.C. He went on to reporting jobs at the Danville (Va.) Register-Bee, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Scranton Times-Tribune. He went back to school to study economics at Temple University, where he completed his master’s degree and Ph.D. His love of both fields converged in his daily reading of The Wall Street Journal and The Economist magazine. 

Scott was an Associate Professor of Business and Economics at Ursinus College. He taught finance, economics, econometrics and research methods, and was known for his opinions on mining lithium for eco-friendly batteries, for his Hawaiian shirts on the first day of class, and for his encouragement to students who needed it most. He helped create and advised the student-run Ursinus College Investment Management Company, which now includes more than 70 students who manage three funds for the college endowment. His students credit UCIMCO’s growth and success to Dr. Deacle’s encouragement, enthusiasm and shared expertise.

Scott loved being a father to his son David and daughter Elizabeth, cheering them on in soccer and karate and helping guide their academic choices. A volleyball coach, a marching band equipment-mover, and dedicated activity chauffeur, Scott lent many hands and kind words to boost others. He was a steadfast supporter of his wife, Sarah’s, ‘extracurricular’ projects -whether it was a scout camping trip or family hike, tracking down a small fleet of 2nd hand kayaks during covid, baking for 70 at church coffee hours, or adding backyard chickens to an arguably already excessive list of pets. He brought joy to every day with attention to things like weekend pancake breakfasts, or taking up vegetarian cooking to support Elizabeth’s interests and benefit his own health. He was a lifelong ice cream enthusiast and loved helping host the annual “last day of school waffles and ice cream” party for neighborhood kids in his front yard.  

Though he was afraid of the water at his first swimming lessons, Scott became an avid swimmer and competed throughout high school and college. Later he swam laps at his local YMCA, along the beach in Cape May, and in the frigid Canadian lake at his family camp. He enjoyed twice daily strolls around the block with his dog Munchkin, but that was more to exercise the dog than for him. He always scheduled time for more intense cardio and yoga so he could keep up with his kids, his students, and, more recently his Tuesday night rec league soccer team.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah E. (Bruce) Deacle of Trappe; and their two children, David and Elizabeth Deacle.  He is also survived by his father Robert Deacle (Susanne Proudlove) of  Raleigh, NC; mother, Jane Deacle of Trappe; and sister Robin Deacle of Raleigh, NC. 

His Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM noon at St. James' Episcopal Church, 3768 Germantown Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426.  Relatives and friends are invited, with visitation before the service from 11-11:45am and an ice cream reception afterwards. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scott Deacle Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at Ursinus College. You can also raise a glass of Martinelli’s cider to toast his memory – a UCIMCO tradition.Donation link: https://www.ursinus.edu/support-uc/deacle-memorial-scholarship/index.php?bbeml=tp-etsrsQJHuUmwXV0uOPtKuQ.ju7nscdQ4KUKv4aAGqD-o8w.r-g2U3P90LEa8qQINW3nuWQ.lE9zIsct7-UW7YCqbdZp31g&fbclid=IwAR0OFvH2-9Cu2fuKHb6jfCBwo601hch8vioz8IKp0HTkGxf-jMv6e0OeM44

If friends and family would like to make a donation to support his children David and Elizabeth with living and educational expenses a limited  Go Fund Me has been set up by their Scout Troop at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-deacle-family

Ursinus memorial news article: 

https://www.ursinus.edu/live/news/7685-the-business-of-happiness-remembering-professor