Sterling H. Raber, 83, of Lowhill Township, died Jan. 15, 2016, at his home.

He and his wife Ruth A. (Herber) Raber were married 60 years last March 26.

Born Jan. 1, 1933, in Orefield, he was the son of the late Howard A. and Mary A. (Breininger) Raber.

The longest serving Lehigh County commissioner from 1978-10, he formerly served on the Farmland Preservation Board as chairman.

The name of the board was changed to The Sterling Raber Agricultural Land Preservation Board at the end of 2009 to honor him for his long-time dedication and commitment to protecting agriculture and rural life in Lehigh County.

His advocacy for Lehigh County Farmland Preservation will have a generational impact.

Prior to his work with Lehigh Country, he was a Lowhill Township supervisor for several years.

He was awarded and designated Master Farmer along with his wife, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He was a member of Weisenberg Lutheran Church, New Tripoli.

He was a graduate of the first class of Parkland High School in 1950.

An avid hunter, he loved his “Bluck Heisel” log cabin in the Poconos.

He was a past master of Lehigh Lodge 326, F.&A.M., Trexlertown.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by daughters Patricia R. Hughes and her husband, Richard of Orefield, Diane S. Raber and her significant other, Patrick R. Farrell of New Tripoli; granddaughter Victoria M. Hughes and her fiancé, Preston K. Nelson of Fogelsville; sister-in-law Grace Raber of Orefield; niece Lucille; and nephew Bruce.

He was predeceased by a brother, Warren.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund and/or the American Cancer Society both c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangement were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., Schnecksville.