Robert W Mader

Hon. Robert W. Mader, 77, Mayor of Alburtis, died suddenly, Monday, October 22, 2012 in his home. He was the husband of Shirley F. (Blank) Mader. They were married October 13, 1973, having just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary.

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 was graduated from Union Springs Central School, Union Springs, NY, in 1953. A fourth generation volunteer fireman, Mr. Mader was a member since 1973 and former Chief of the Alburtis Fire Company. 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. Robert was active with the Alburtis Recreation Center. Bob was an avid history buff, a voracious reader, student of the Civil War and enjoyed annual visits to Gettysburg. Robert had a love of gardening and could grow anything. 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 over twelve years retiring in 2000; prior to that, he worked at the former Klein Foundry, Alburtis in the shipping and receiving department over 15 years.

He is survived by Wife, Daughters, Bonnie L. (Derr) wife of Michael J. Pengh, Bethlehem, Gale M. (Derr) wife of Wayne W. Schaeffer, Orefield, Carol A. (Derr) wife of Steven R. Hill, Alburtis, Susan J. (Derr) wife of Warren L. Brown, Fleetwood, Elizabeth W. (Mader) wife of George Drelich, Florence, SC., Patricia W. (Mader) wife of Ed Roughgarten, New Jersey and a Son, Robert W. (Madar) Westervelt, New Jersey. Other survivors include a Sister, Anne (Mader) widow of Oliver J. Zug, Center Valley, PA and a Brother, Louis John husband of Cheryl Mader, Oakland, NJ. There are also 14 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by a Son, Mark R. Derr, April 14, 2012.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:00 AM in Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 135 Quarry Road, Alburtis. Interment with fire department and military honors, in Lehigh Zion Cemetery, Alburtis. Friends may call Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 PM in the Alburtis Volunteer Fire Company, 328 South Main Street, Alburtis. There will be no viewing at the church on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Alburtis Fire Company Truck Crew, P.O. Box 904, Alburtis, PA 18011-0904. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Topton, PA.