Herbert R Reichert

Age 93, of Devon, PA, passed away March 3rd, 2022, to join his most loved partner of 63 years, Rita (deceased 2019). He is survived by their four children, Erica, Matthew (Christina), Carl (Maria) and Stephen (Deborah). Herb was known as Pipiere to his grandchildren. His legacy of love and kindness extends far beyond his immediate family to many relatives and friends throughout the world.

Herb wanted you to know the following about his life, as written by him, but recently disclosed to his children:

Herb was born in Buffalo NY, the oldest son of German immigrant parents and resided there through his high school and college years. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Buffalo in 1951 and was competitively selected by General Electric into its prestigious Advanced Engineering Program that combined a wide variety of technical work projects with applied science and mathematics. After completing this 3-year program, Herb continued in the GE Education Department in Schenectady, NY as a manager and lecturer and also established a doctoral level GE Advanced Physics Program in cooperation with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He then embarked on the remainder of his 38+ year career with GE by joining the newly established Missile and Space Division in Philadelphia where he initially developed guidance and fusing systems for US Army and Air Force missiles. He then transitioned into GE’s space satellite business segment where he held many key technical and management positions working on a spectrum of US, International and Commercial programs. He received a special One-In-A-Thousand GE management award for his work with Japan developing a Synchronous Broadcast TV Satellite whose successful launch demonstrated the feasibility of large area TV coverage from synchronous orbit and validated the foundational technologies that formed the basis for much of GE’s subsequent satellite business. Herb was dedicated to his work and was known for setting high performance standards for both him and the teams working on his programs. On one occasion, after a severe snowstorm, Herb skied several miles from Devon to the GE facility in King of Prussia to direct a critical milestone satellite-booster separation test. He knew he could get there and had the foresight to place other key personnel overnight in nearby hotels.

Though work and studies consumed much of his time, Herb involved himself in social and community efforts. He discovered his wife-to-be Rita when she was assigned to his bowling team in Schenectady, NY and after about two years of sharing many mutual interests, marriage followed in 1955. Herb enjoyed his family and encouraged them in all their interests. He participated in their games and helped develop their athleticism. There were numerous family hiking trips, extended vacations in Canada’s 1000 Islands and many enjoyable visits to Rita’s family in Schenectady and Herb’s family in Buffalo, where their four kids could interact with their many cousins. The family’s current love for foreign travel was developed when Herb and Rita took the kids, aged 6 to 16 for five weeks of camping in Europe in a new VW pop-top yellow camper delivered to them at the Luxembourg airport. The VW bus was perfect for the initial vacation and was shipped to the US afterwards where the family created many more memories with its use. On subsequent vacations and in retirement, Herb and Rita traveled to most parts of the world.

Herb coached Little League baseball, served in Civic Associations and with Rita led an Outreach Committee & Food Donation activity for their St. Monica parish. Herb was a DIY kind of guy around the house and was usually able to solve and remedy most home repairs with Rita’s father’s experience in home building coming into play on critical occasions. Herb and Rita each loved the food from their ethnic origins: Rita had French-Canadian roots, Herb had German roots both of which fueled Herb’s prodigious appetite and sweet tooth. With that background, and Rita’s help, Herb became an accomplished cook and baker.

What Herb didn’t mention was his sense of humor, patience, and genuine concern for each person he interacted with in life. Herb was a true gentleman and a self-made Renaissance Man! Herb and Rita are now together again.

A service will be scheduled at St. Paul the Apostle Church, where they were married, in Schenectady NY, and as they directed, a joint interment service at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be considered to Jenkins Arboretum 631 Berwyn Baptist Road Devon, PA 19333. Jenkins Arboretum was a treasured place for Herb and Rita to take walks together near their home. In peace and blessings to you, The Reichert Family.