Richard Knight Aitken

PRIVATE RICHARD KNIGHT AITKEN was born in Camden NJ on March 4, 1905, the eldest child of Marion and Richard C. Aitken. His father was a bank manger in Camden, and had been born in England. The elder Aitken was also a 33rd Degree Mason. In 1920 the family lived at 225 Linden Street, and besides Richard K., there was a daughter, Clara, and younger son, Edward K. Aitken. His grandparents, William C. and Elizabeth Aitken, lived nearby at 205 Pearl Street. William C. Aitken had come to America in 1869 and had been a prominent builder in his day. The family attended the Centenary Tabernacle Church in Camden.

Richard Aitken attended the Cooper School in Camden, and graduated from Camden High School in 1923. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for two years, before going to work in the credit department at J.B. Van Sciver’s furniture business. His younger brother Edward graduated from Camden High School in January of 1928. The family was still residing at 225 Linden Street at that time.

By 1930 the family had moved to a home at 328 Penn Street. Richard was by this time the credit manager at a the J.B. Van Sciver furniture factory, his sister and brother were both working at a bank, more than likely the one still managed by their father. Clara Aitken was also active in the Sigma Delta Nu sorority. It should be noted that Richard K. Aitken's uncle Edward C. Aitken had purchased the house next door at 326 Penn Street where he lived with his widowed sister, Isabel A. Shedaker, and the by then 84 year old grandfather, William C. Aitken.

Richard K. Aitken was inducted into the United States Army in August of 1942. He was stationed at Harding Field in Baton Rouge LA when he died on February 17, 1943. He was survived by his parents, brother Edward, sister Clara, and brother-in-law Lester Chegwidden. His body was returned to Camden, where funeral services were held at 423 Cooper Street. Richard Knight Aitken was buried at Lakeview Memorial Park, in Cinnaminson Township NJ. His death was reported in the February 22, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.

From the
1923
Camden High School
Yearbook

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