The Rev. Dr. Paul L. Buehrle, 90, retired president and CEO of The Lutheran Home at Topton, died Jan. 5, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Betty G. (Gulden) Buehrle, who died June 15, 2019. They were married 68 years at the time of her death. Born 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.

He completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science degree in natural sciences from Muhlenberg College in 1952. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1955. He continued his education at both the University of Delaware and the University of Pittsburgh with courses in gerontology. He obtained and maintained his nursing home administrator’s license throughout his career in aging services. In 1981, Muhlenberg College conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree to Rev. Dr. Buehrle.

His professional career began in 1955 as a parish minister at Weissport Lutheran Parish. 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 Saint Phillip’s Lutheran Church Wilmington, Del. During his pastorate he was also dean of Delaware district for four years. From 1972 to 1975, he served as the executive director of the Wilmington Senior Center, Inc., a United Way Organization.

His career culminated with his appointment as president and chief executive officer of The Lutheran Home (now known as Diakon) at Topton, a multi-social service agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. During his ministry, he re-organized 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, Allentown 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 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.

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 of 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 (now Leading Age PA).

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.

He is survived by daughters, Cathy B. and her husband, Alexander D. Smith, of Hollis, N.H.; Sharon K. and her husband, Greg Page, of Vero Beach, Fla. and Pamela J. and her partner, Michele Sokalsky, of Walnutport.; brothers, Willis R. and his wife, Helen, of Castle Rock, Colo., Claude H. and his wife, Lorraine, of Greeley, Colo.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Acheson Smith, Andrew Buehrle Smith, Courtney Page and Olivia Page; three great-grandsons. He was predeceased by a sister, C. Elizabeth Hess.

Contributions may be made to Luther Crest Benevolent Care Fund, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, 18104 or The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus, 18049.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Emmaus. Relatives and friends may call 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 in the church. Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Topton, is in charge of arrangements.