Bert Vorchheimer died peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on October 1 from complications following surgery to replace an aortic valve. A resident of Philadelphia, Bert was born in Milan, Italy to Viktor Felix and Ella (Kahn) Vorchheimer. After his mother's death, he and his father immigrated to the United States in 1940 and settled in Vineland, where his father established a poultry business. Bert was a graduate of Vineland High School and Rutgers University as a student with high honors. He served in the US Air Force Strategic Air Command, piloting KC-97 refueling tankers. After leaving the service, he pursued a career in the field of public relations and communications, retiring from Bell Labs as the editor for their technical journal. A highly accomplished writer and photographer, his hobbies included traveling, writing essays and history. He was also instrumental in convincing the Italian government to restore the citizenship of the Jews from whom it had been taken by the Fascists.

Bert is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carol (Wertheimer) and daughters Ellen (Charles) Mandelberg of Simsbury, Ct; Shoshana (Scott) Siegelman of Philadelphia; and grandchildren Laura and David Mandelberg; and Elisha, Aaron and Sara Siegelman.

Funeral arrangements are private and there will be a memorial service at a later date. Contributions in Bert's name may be made to Kohelet Yeshiva High School, 233 Highland Ave., Merion Station, PA 19066; Esperanza, 3156 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134 or Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.