We are deeply saddened to share with the PRC community the news that Bert Schwartz passed away late last week. Bert was PRC’s longest serving staff member, being a key member of the PRC East team as Maintenance Supervisor of the Environmental Living Demonstration Center in Ridley Creek State Park since 1994. Many of you who visited PRC or worked with us over the years will fondly recall Bert’s friendly and gregarious presence. His extensive knowledge of the history and the operations of our facility was a tremendous asset. His excitement and enthusiasm for the Environmental Living Center where we work was infectious.
Bert joined PRC in 1994 to work on the creation of, and renovations at, the Environmental Living Demonstration Center at Ridley Creek State Park in Newtown Square. Since that time, Bert has become the expert in all things PRC East. He loved sharing his knowledge of our Ridley Creek office and took great pride on keeping it well maintained. From the grounds to the building, from the roof to the basement this location was his pride and joy.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Bert for his longstanding dedication to PRC and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Please find Bert’s official obituary here.
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Dedicated to the mission of living green throughout his life, Bert Schwartz left us with one more lesson on environmental stewardship that we would like to share. Bert had requested that his be a “green funeral,” part of a growing movement to minimize the environmental impact of one’s final plans. Out of respect for Bert and his choices, we’d like to honor his choice my sharing information with the entire PRC community regarding the green burial movement.
The Green Burial Council offers a wealth of information on green funeral options as they work to “inspire and advocate for environmentally sustainable, natural death care through education and certification.” Green burials serve to respect important family rituals, to honor the earth, and to honor the deceased and their family.
You can find more information on their website.