Hon. Robert W. Mader, 77, mayor of Alburtis, died suddenly, October 22, 2012, in his home. He was the husband of Shirley F. (Blank) Mader. They were married for 39 years on Oct. 13. Born in Ridgewood, N.J., 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, Alburtis, where he was a past consistory member.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He graduated from Union Springs Central School, Union Springs, N.Y., in 1952.

A fourth generation fireman, he 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.

He was serving his third year of his second term as Alburtis Borough Mayor, a position he held since Nov. 28, 2007. He previously served as a member of the Alburtis Borough Council from 1996 until 2007.

He was active with the Alburtis Recreation Center. He was an avid history buff and enjoyed visiting historic Gettysburg.

He loved gardening and could grow anything. He 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.

He was employed as a forklift operator at Brown Printing, East Greenville for over 12 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 his wife; daughters, Bonnie L. (Derr) and her husband Michael J. Pengh, of Bethlehem, Gale M. (Derr) and her husband Wayne W. Schaeffer, of Orefield, Carol A. (Derr) and her husband Steven R. Hill, of Alburtis, Susan J. (Derr) and her husband Warren L. Brown, of Fleetwood, Elizabeth W. (Mader) and her husband George Drelich, of Florence, S.C., Patricia W. (Mader) and her husband Ed Roughgarten, of New Jersey; son, Robert W. of Westervelt, N.J.; sister, B. Anne wife of the late Oliver Barres Zug, of Center Valley; brother, Louis John and his wife Cheryl of Oakland, N.J.; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Mark R. Derr on April 14, 2012.

Contributions may be made to the Alburtis Fire Company Truck Crew, P.O. Box 904, Alburtis, 18011-0904.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. in Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 135 Quarry Road, Alburtis. 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. Friends may call Tuesday evening 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the Alburtis Volunteer Fire Company, 328 South Main Street, Alburtis. There will be no viewing at the church on Wednesday. The Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Topton, is in charge of arrangements.