Moravian Church Member Bertram J. Hilbert Dies at 84

Bertram J. “Bert” Hilbert, 84, of Luther Crest, formerly of Highland Street in Allentown, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, June 22, 2014, in Galilee House of Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth, with his loving family by his side. A lifelong resident of the area, Bert was born and raised in Hokendauqua to Roland F. and Margaret (Warke) Hilbert. He was married for 53 years to Mary “Becky” (Koehler) Hilbert.

A devoted member of Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown, Bert served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Corporal. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1936 and later earned his BS in elementary education from East Stroudsburg University and his MS in speech pathology from Bloomsburg University. Bert taught grade 5 in Allentown before joining the Special Education Department as a speech pathologist. During his career, he invented and received a U.S. Patent for a mechanical device called “The Count,” which recorded responses in the speech field. This device was widely used across many states, McGill University in Canada, and several international schools.

Bert was actively involved in various professional and community organizations. He served as Past President of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association, was a member of the Schoolmen’s Club of Allentown, and a Life member of PSEA. His passion for music was evident through his private singing, membership in multiple groups, solo performances in college organizations and musicals, and his involvement in church choirs, the Luther Crest Chorus, and the quartet The LC-4.

Bert was known for his uplifting manner, love of people, and well-loved sense of humor, often sharing delightful jokes wherever he went. He is survived by his wife Becky; daughter Donna L. Fritchey and her husband William of Northampton, along with their daughter Andrea Leigh; Becky’s daughter Rebecca Y. Krisko and her husband Stephen of North Wales, their son Gregory D. Krisko of Nashville and his daughter Sadie Rayne. He was predeceased by his brother Rowland and his wife Valeria.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Calvary Moravian Church, 948 N. 21st St, Allentown, PA 18104, where visitation with his family will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment will be private. The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall is handling his arrangements. Contributions in his memory are suggested to the Church at the address listed above or to Moravian Hall Square Galilee House, 175 W North St, Nazareth, PA 18064.

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