April 1, 2022
Frank Bertalan 1920-2021

AHC Honorary Member Francis "Frank" A. Bertalan died November 10, 2021 at age 101.

Frank joined the Club in 1977 and became an active member. Frank and Ed Ritter were appointed AHC Trails Co-Chairs in 1989. Frank orchestrated the installation of a trail gate on the paved access road north of PA 309 to prevent vehicular trespassing on the AT. He and Ed then led a crew in two relocations - one taking the AT off of the paved road into the woods at PA 309 and the second to construct a new wooded access trail to the New Tripoli Campsite. In October 1993, Frank and Sparky and Bev Wuerstle laid out the trail relocation south of PA 309 around the restaurant. Frank, Ed, and Harold Croxton directed the July 1994 work crew that relocated the AT north of Jacksonville Road.

In 1993, Frank resigned as Trails Co-Chair in order to assume the duties of AHC Monitor Chair (taking over from Harold). Frank held this position until September 2005, directing the Club's corridor monitors and submitting yearly reports to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Frank was elected an Honorary Member in 1991.

Frank was a 1938 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and service in the US Army during World War Il from 1942 to 1946 achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He graduated from Villanova University in 1950 with an Electrical Engineering degree and then worked for Air Products for 30 years. He was predeceased by his wife Olga "Ronnie" in 2014 and is survived by 3 sons.

Link: https://www.allentownhikingclub.org/blog/Frank-Bertalan-19202021-41/