Obituary: Robert W. Mader, 77, Mayor of Alburtis

Robert W. Mader, 77, of Alburtis, died suddenly, Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 in his home. He was the husband of Shirley F. (Blank) Mader. They were married Oct. 13, 1973.

Born in Ridgewood, NJ, he was a son of the late Robert W., Sr., and Elizabeth (Grace) Mader. He was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ Church, Alburtis, where he was a past consistory member. He was U.S. Army veteran. He graduated from Union Springs Central School, Union Springs, NY, in 1953.

A fourth generation volunteer fireman, Mader was a member since 1973 and former Chief of the Alburtis Fire Department. He last served as chief in 2005. He was also a member and currently the Captain of Alburtis Fire Company Fire Police.

Bob was serving the third year of his second term as Alburtis Borough Mayor, a position he held since November 28, 2007. He was a member of the Alburtis Borough Council from 1996 until 2007, and he was active with the Alburtis Recreation Center.

Bob was a selfless man giving of his time and talent to serve the people of his community. He touched the lives of many both near and far and will be missed by those he had the honor to serve.

Bob was employed as a forklift operator at Brown Printing, East Greenville for more than 12 years, retiring in 2000; prior to that, he worked in the shipping and receiving department of the former Klein Foundry in Alburtis for more than  15 years.

Survivors:

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Bonnie L. (Derr) wife of Michael J. Pengh of Bethlehem, Gale M. (Derr) wife of Wayne W. Schaeffer of Orefield, Carol A. (Derr) wife of Steven R. Hill of Alburtis, Susan J. (Derr) wife of Warren L. Brown of Fleetwood, Elizabeth W. (Mader) wife of George Drelich of Florence, SC., Patricia W. (Mader) wife of Ed of Roughgarten, NJ and a son, Robert W. Mader of Westervelt, NJ; a sister, Anne, widow of Oliver J. Zug of Center Valley and a brother, Louis John husband of Cheryl Mader of Oakland, NJ, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and great nieces and great nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Mark R. Derr, April 14, 2012.

Services:

10 a.m. Oct. 31 in the church. Interment with fire department and military honors provided by Alburtis Fire Company and Ray A. Master Post 217, American Legion, Topton, following the service in Lehigh Zion Cemetery, Alburtis. Calling hours: 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Alburtis Fire Department.

Contributions:

Alburtis Fire Company Truck Crew, P.O. Box 904, Alburtis, PA 18011-0904. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, 25 E. Weis St., Topton.