The Rev. Dr. Paul L. Buehrle, 90, retired president and CEO of The Lutheran Home at Topton, died on Jan. 5, 2020, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He was the widower of Betty G. (Gulden) Buehrle, who died June 15, 2019.

The couple were married 68 years at the time of her death.

Born Feb. 27, 1929, in Blooming Glen, Bucks County, he was a son of the late George R. and Irene M. (Landis) Buehrle.

He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus.

Having completed his undergraduate studies in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in natural sciences from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1955 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.

He continued his education at both the University of Delaware, Newark, Del., and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, taking courses in gerontology.

He obtained and maintained his nursing home administrator’s license throughout his career in aging services.

In 1981, he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Muhlenberg College.

His professional career first began in 1955 as a parish minister at Weissport Lutheran Parish, a three-church parish in Carbon County.

From 1959 to 1965, he served at Reformation Lutheran Church, Milford, Del., a congregation of the Board of American Missions, where he developed the mission and moved from temporary quarters to the first unit of the church building.

From 1965 to 1972, he served as pastor of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, Wilmington, Del., a suburban congregation with 1,200 members.

During his pastorate he was also dean of the Delaware District for four years.

From 1972 to 1975, he served as the executive director of the Wilmington Senior Center Inc., Wilmington, a United Way organization.

His career culminated with his appointment as president and CEO of The Lutheran Home (now known as Diakon) at Topton, a multi-social service agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The organization provides services to older adults, children and families.

During his ministry, he reorganized a home for orphans into a social service agency for all age groups.

He also supervised the development, planning, design, staffing and occupancy of three continuing care retirement communities - Tower Court on the Topton campus; Luther Crest, South Whitehall, and one joint venture with The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, The Highlands at Wyomissing, Reading; two low-income elderly housing units financed by Housing and Urban Development, Heilman House and Luther Meadows, both on the Topton campus; a personal care boarding home in Reading and personal care housing for the aging, Luther Ridge, Pottsville.

He also developed and implemented several social programs, all serving the aging population - a nutrition program with 12 meal sites, a day care program and a home health care program.

Additionally, he implemented a counseling program known as Family Life Services with special emphasis on Lutheran congregations and support for pastors.

At his retirement, the budget for The Lutheran Home at Topton was $ 32 million with 750 employees.

His associations include: serving as a consultant for Continuing Care Retirement Communities for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; membership in the Coalition of Executives of the ELCA, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now Leading Age), Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (now Leading Age PA) and Pennsylvania Council of Voluntary Care Agencies.

He served on the board of directors at Muhlenberg College, and The Highlands at Wyomissing Retirement Community.

In 1995, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging.

In addition to his distinguished community service career, he was a devoted, loving and kind father and husband, traveled extensively with his wife and many dear friends, enjoyed the game of golf and summers at the family home in Fenwick Island, Del.

He had a contagious joy for life that was evident to all and he impacted many lives through his kind and gentle ways.

His survivors include daughters, Cathy B. (Buehrle) Smith, wife of Alexander D. Smith, of Hollis, N.H.; Sharon K. Buehrle, wife of Greg Page, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Pamela J. Buehrle, partner of Michele Sokalsky of Walnutport; brothers Willis R., and wife, Helen Buehrle, of Castle Rock, Colo. and Claude H., and wife, Lorraine Buehrle of Greeley, Colo.; grandchildren Elizabeth Acheson Smith, Andrew Buehrle Smith, Courtney Page and Olivia Page; and three great-grandsons.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a sister, C. Elizabeth (Buehrle) Hess.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will take place 1 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus, with the Rev. Richard H. Elliott officiating.

Relatives and friends may call 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the church.

Inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family.

The family requests contributions be made in his memory to Luther Crest Benevolent Care Fund, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, PA 18104 or to the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus, PA 18049.

Memories and condolences may be shared at Ludwickfh.com.

Arrangements made by Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Topton.