Bradford K. Pease, 85, of Bethlehem, died Feb. 2, 2015, in his home. Born in Providence, R.I., he was a son of the late Hamilton E. and Marion E. Pease. He was the husband of Gwendolyn Colegrove Pease.

He was a 1947 graduate of Classical High School, Providence; in 1951, Brown University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; and in 1959, Lehigh University with a master's degree in mechanical engineering.

He was in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

He was a licensed professional engineer and was a certified energy manager, Association of Energy Engineers. He began his 47 year career in 1951 in the management training program of the Bethlehem Steel Company. He later worked in the research department, specializing in fuel efficiency and combustion optimization. He had numerous patents and publications related to fuel and combustion in the steel-making industry and was an early innovator in developing environmentally friendly solutions.

He received Bethlehem Steel's Research Recognition award for saving the company $49 million by devising a means to maintain blast furnace blowing engine operation using low-BTU blast furnace gas enriched with waste coke oven gas. He originated a proposal for a 100-megawatt fluidized bed combustion power plant, later built in Ebensburg, fueled by bituminous coal refuse. He was Bethlehem Steel's representative to the American Flame Research Committee, andwas a manager of the Bethlehem Area National Society of Professional Engineers. He was the founding moderator, then treasurer of Center City Ministries, Bethlehem, which now includes Victory House, New Bethany Ministries and Turning Point which support homeless shelters, soup kitchens and other services for the needy.

He was a member of Christ Church, U.C.C., and was a consistory president, elder, deacon, financial secretary and chair of the outreach committee, Sunday school teacher, usher and property and grounds committee member.

He was president of the Allentown Council of PTAs, an assistant scoutmaster and member of the leadership training committee of the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a president of the Mental Health Society of the Lehigh Valley, and helped establish Compeer of the Lehigh Valley for persons recovering from mental illness.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Marian E. (Richard) Button of Newark, Del. and Meredith P. Easterly of Burlington, N.J.; a stepson, Theodore R. Colegrove of Bethlehem, a sister, Trudy M. March of Coventry, R.I.; and two grandchildren, Julie E. Button and Jonathan Pearson of Cambridge, Mass., and Brandon R. Button of Elsmere, Del.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Monica A. and a son, Keith F.

Contributions be made to the church, 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 or Compeer of the Lehigh Valley, 402 N. Fulton St., Allentown, PA 18102.

Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.