Norbert M Bikales

Norbert M Bikales, 97, a Holocaust survivor who created a triumphant life in America, passed peacefully on June 23, 2026 in his home in Livingston. Born in Berlin, Germany to Berta and Salo Bikales, he last saw his parents at age 10, waving goodbye to them at the train station where they were deported to their deaths. Norbert spent the war years mostly in France under the care of OSE, a Jewish organization dedicated to saving Jewish children to whom he was forever grateful.

In 1946, he came to New York as a penniless orphan, and with the brilliance and determination that defined him, he worked hard to support himself while attending school. He distinguished himself at City College and Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, receiving a PhD in the new field of polymer chemistry. He began his career at American Cyanamid as a research scientist, moved on to become the editor of the 16-volume Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology and then served as the director of the polymer division of the National Science Foundation for 19 years.

In 1951, he married Gerda Bierzonski, a fellow survivor from Germany and on April 28, 2026, they celebrated their 75th anniversary. Gerda, who survives him, was his perfect match and their devotion to each other continues to inspire all who knew him. Norbert was the proud father of Peggy (Sarlin) and Eddy, grandfather of Benjy, Jon, Esme, Emmett and Elias, step-grandfather of Kay, and great-grandfather of Parker and Ruby.

Before he retired, Norbert and Gerda enjoyed a triumphant return to France, the scene of their terrified childhoods, when Norbert was appointed Director of the National Science Foundation in Europe. From his elegant office in the American Embassy in Paris, Norbert served as America’s diplomatic envoy to the European scientific community for three exciting, adventure-filled years.

Norbert was admired by all who knew him for his warmth and charm, his integrity and commitment to friends and family. In his honor, his children have created the Norbert M. Bikales Research Fund at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, which you can donate to at donate.weizmann-usa.org

The family will be receiving guests on June 26, 2026, from 10:15 am to 10:45 am at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039.

Funeral services will begin at 11 am followed by the burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery Jewish, 685 Fairview Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022.