Richard K. “Rich” Bernecker, 73, of Allentown, died peacefully Oct. 31, 2023, in Lehigh Valley Hospital.

He was the loving husband of Gail D. (Malinowski) Bernecker.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Wayne Bernecker and Betty (Quinn) Bernecker Wilt.

A proud Teamster Union Local 12 member, he worked at Schaefer, Stroh’s and Pabst Brewing for 30 years.

He served as the vice president and chief steward of the union.

Later, he worked in maintenance at the East Penn School District, retiring in 2016.

A member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield, he was a former volunteer EMT with the Macungie Ambulance Corps and a volunteer firefighter for the Macungie Fire Department.

He was a wrestler at Emmaus High School, an avid swimmer, golfer, Dallas Cowboys and Penn State fan, and enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren.

He will be remembered lovingly by his wife of 54 years, Gail; sons Mark W. Bernecker and wife, Amy, of Williamsburg, Va., and Keith A. Bernecker of Allentown; grandchildren Adam, Maci and Cameron; brother Wayne Bernecker and wife, Shirley, of Macungie; and sister Barbara Heinly of Smith Mountain Lake, Va.

He was predeceased by a brother, Donald “Herk” Bernecker.

Celebration of his life will take place 2 p.m. Nov. 11 in Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., 250 Main St., Emmaus.

Visitation is 1-2 p.m. in the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Solomon’s Union Cemetery, Macungie.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the funeral home, 50 Main St., Emmaus, PA 18049, for an education fund for Cameron.