Bertram J. "Bert" Hilbert, 84, of Luther Crest, South Whitehall, formerly of Allentown, died peacefully June 22, 2014, in Galilee House of Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, with his loving and devoted family by his side.

Born and raised in Hokendauqua, he was a son of the late Roland F. and Margaret (Warke) Hilbert.

He and his wife, Mary "Becky" (Koehler) Hilbert, were married 53 years.

He was a member of Calvary Moravian Church, Allentown.

He honorably served in the Marine Corps attaining the rank of corporal.

A 1936 graduate of Whitehall High School, after working for Two Guys from Harrison for a few years, he completed his formal education by earning his Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University in elementary education, and his Master of Science degree in speech pathology from Bloomsburg University.

He taught fifth grade in Allentown for several years, before joining the special education department as a speech pathologist.

During this time, he invented and received a U.S. patent for a mechanical device, "The Count" that recorded responses in the speech field.

This was widely received and used in many states as well as McGill University, Canada, and several schools in foreign territories.

He was a past president of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association, the Schoolmen's Club of Allentown, and life member of PSEA. His love of music was expressed in his singing privately, membership in many groups, solo performances in college organizations, musicals, his church choirs, the Luther Crest Chorus and quartet, The LC-4.

Wherever he went, he showed his love of people with his uplifting manner and well-loved, delightful joke telling.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter Donna L. Fritchey, her husband, William, of Northampton, and their daughter Andrea Leigh; his wife's daughter Rebecca Y. Krisko, her husband, Stephen, of North Wales and their son Gregory D. Krisko of Nashville, Tenn., and his daughter Sadie Rayne.

He was predeceased by brother, Rowland, and his wife Valeria.

Contributions may be made to Moravian Hall Square Galilee House, 175 W. North St., Nazareth PA 18064.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall.