John Henry Bicher Jr. 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9
- Born: 19 Aug 1930, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA 2 4
- Marriage (1): Dolores Ann Raezer on 12 Feb 1954 in Reading: St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, Berks, PA, USA 1 2 3
- Died: 5 Apr 2008, Pottstown, Montgomery, PA at age 77 5
- Buried: 11 Apr 2008, Reiffton: Forest Hills Memorial Park, Berks, PA 5
FamilySearch ID: L6YV-2LX.
Noted events in his life were:
1. Census in 1940 in Reading Twp., Adams, PA. 10 The 1940 census recorded living at 520 N. Front Street: Harry S. Bicher, metal worker sign shop, 55, living with wife Edith E., 55; John H., inside salesman office of electrical supply, 29; Margaret, 26; grandson John H. Bicher, 9; and father-in-law Henry R. Groff, 83. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.
2. Fact: John and Delores Bicher returned from Bermuda on British Overseas Airways, 20 Feb 1954, Kindley Field, Hamilton, , Bermuda. 11
3. Newspaper: Reading Eagle: Reserves on Review: News of Local Units, 30 May 1954, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA. 6 John H. Bicher Jr., 520 N. Front St., was commissioned an ensign in the Naval Reserves and will report to the U.S. Navy Sonar School, Key West, Fla., on June 18 to begin a 24-month tour of active duty.
Ens. Bicher is a graduate of Reading High School and Albright College and is married to the former Dolores Raezer, 115 Oley St. He has been in the Naval Reserves three years and five months and recently completed the reserve officer candidate training program at Long Beach, Calif. Ens. Bicher attended the training sessions during the summer of 1952 and 1953.
He has been a seaman in Division 4-6 at the USN-MCRTC. While attending Albright College Ens. Bicher was employed as a cameraman at WEEU-TV.
4. Residence: in 1956 in Pottsville, Schuylkill, PA.
5. Occupation: Bicher, John H (Delores R) laborer Stanley G Flagg & Co. h 427 W Race (Stowe) in 1959 in Stowe, Montgomery, PA. 12
6. Newspaper: Pottstown Mercury: article and photos about John H. Bicher Jr.'s life, 29 Apr 1963, Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. 2 (article includes 2 photos, Bicher at age 1, and Bicher in 1963.)
A TALK with John H. Bicher Jr. can be a deceptive experience. After a while one almost is lulled into believing that becoming a naval executive officer at 24 and heading a 600 employee, multi-phase Industrial operation at 39 is a routine occurrence.
Bicher, at 33, is a husky, unassuming and friendly man who looks more like the football player he once was than the Stanley G. Flagg and company foundry supervisor he is. Beneath the amiable, modest veneer, however, is a quiet undercurrent of control and confidence native to most men with demanding jobs.
He was born August 19, 1930, in Reading, where he attended Northwest Junior High school and Reading High. He played football since junior high, later was a letter-winning halfback with the Reading varsity tusslers.
He got a job the summer after graduation in 1948, then BICHER decided to enter Bliss Electronics school, Washington, D.C., in the Fall.
Bicher graduated from the Washington technical school two years later with a solid technical background and promptly entered Albright college, Reading. A business administration major, his elective courses in math, chemistry and physics reflected an interest In sciences which was to come In handy later.
During hit academic jaunt through Albright, Bicher became a member of Pi Tau Beta fraternity, the Spanish and International Relations club. His collegiate football career was shortlived. He injured his leg during the first weeks of tryouts and subsequently shelved his helmet on doctor's advice.
"Shortly after tryouts started I got my right leg cracked. That ended that. It looked bad, though. The week before the paper had a picture of the local boys at the Albright tryouts. The next week I wasn't there."
THE INJURY didn't curtail Bicher's interest in the game, however. "I attended every football game I can," he remarked. "I catch the Penn State games, the (Philadelphia) Eagles and even drive down to Baltimore to see the Colts. I'll go anywhere that doesn't involve more than a four or five hour drive."
While attending Albright, Bicher spent his Summers training under a Naval reserve officer candidate program. When he graduated in 1954 he was commissioned an ensign.
"I got sort of the quick treatment when I got out of school. I received my diploma, got married, was commissioned and issued orders within a short period of time."
Bicher served two years on active duty, mostly aboard a minesweeper in Korean waters. Prior to going aboard the mine sweeper he attended a "mine hunting school" in Key West, Fla., where he learned mine detection techniques and the use of sonar and other electronic equipment.
HE WAS operations officer aboard the 87 man mine sweeper before elevation to executive officer. The ship, incidentally, was among the first US mine sweepers equipped with "visual presentation" sonar, which depicts objects in the water on a screen rather than simply emitting audio signals. Before he was discharged in 1956, he spent eight weeks at a harbor defense school where he was taught the formulation and coordination of harbor defense which included, ironically, the laying of mines his previous job was to destroy.
Although his active duty is behind him, Bicher retains an interest in the Navy and the sea. He maintains his commission by serving as divisional training officer at the Reading reserve center. He loves boating and tailing and spends quite a bit of time "plying the Chesapeake in a borrowed boat. He is also vice commander of Flotilla 10-5, Coast Guard auxiliary, Pottstown, and a member of the National Reserve Officers' association.
After his discharge in 1956, Bicher got a job in the production control department at Flaggs. A year later he was made assistant department manager.
"At that point the company asked me if I'd like a different job and offered me one as assistant to the foundry supervisor. He retired in 1959 and I took over as foundry supervisor," he explained simply. Bicher's job involves the supervision of between 500 and 600 employees and the operation of three foundries, three cleaning rooms, a core shop, pattern shop and annealing room at the pipe manufacturing firm.
"Essentially my department handles the pipe fitting from its inception-from the sand core through molding, grinding and preparation."
BICHER'S job hours are somewhat uncertain, he is subject to call anytime there is a failure somewhere in the intricate casting process, "ranging from times when I just got home from work to the middle of the night."
Bicher credits the scientific and technical background he received at college and electronics school for providing him with the necessary preparation for his job-which demands technical know how as well at managerial adroitness. A lot of his training, however, is a continual process. The company sends him to a host of courses in management and the latest technical advances in the industry, ranging from casting techniques to metallurgy.
Bicher was married in 1954 to former Dolores Ann Raezor, also a Reading native. The two lived near each other, attended the same schools and finally met in high school. They have a son, Mark Eric, 11 months old.
In addition to his reserve and Coast guard flotilla activities, he is a member of the Industrial Management club, was charter president of the Toastmaster's club and a past member of the Pottstown Jaycees. He lives on Chestnut Hill road, Pottstown RD 2.
7. Residence: on 26 Jul 1976 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. 9
8. Newspaper: Intelligencer Journal: Nursing Home Gets A New Administrator, 17 Mar 1978, Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. 13 Nursing Home Gets a New Administrator
John H. Bicher, assistant administrator of Pocopson Home, Chester County, has been appointed administrator of Conestoga View, Lancaster County's home and hospital facility. Lancaster County Commissioners, acting as the board of directors of Conestoga View, announced the engagement at a regular board meeting Thursday. Bicher, who has been in his present post at Pocopson, Chester County's home and hospital facility near West Chester, since 1973, will succeed Stephen L. Guillard. Guillard, 28, who was at Conestoga View for almost three and a half years, resigned effective March 3 to join a private management company, the Edwin Ducat Co., Bala-Cynwyd, near Philadelphia. The new administrator will assume his duties on March 27. His starting salary will be $24,000 a year. Bicher, 47, is a graduate of Albright College with a B.A. in social science. He is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a nursing home administrator. He is a member of the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Association of County Affiliated Homes. Reading Native A native of Reading, where he grew up, he is married and the father of one child. While he presently lives in the Potts-town area, he will be relocating to the Lancaster area shortly. County Commissioner Jack F. Tracy, chairman of the board of commissioners, said Thursday, "I think we're fortunate to have acquired an individual who has had at least four or five years' practical experience in a similar operation." He noted that the Chester County home has 350 beds while the Lancastr County home has approximately 450. Tracy noted that Bicher has acted in the capacity of a fulltime administrator during absences of the administrator at the Pocopson Home. And the commissioner said Bicher has been working particularly in the areas of financing, state regulations and personnel. He said he felt Bicher was well qualified for the post and added, "I think, he's going to be an asset to the county and the guests at Conestoga View." Tracy also pointed out that Bicher, who is a native of Reading and also has relatives living in York, "is not unfamiliar with Lancaster County." 'Related Background William J. Brennan, county personnel director, said "We are fortunate to have obtained someone with a related background." He noted that Bicher was appointed by the Conestoga View board after interviews with a number of qualified candidates. Prior to entering hospital-home administration, Bicher worked for a management consultant firm out of Chicago and had been in private industry as a plant manager and general manager. Lancaster County does not have an assistant administrator of its home-hospital facility, but Tracy said Thursday he felt the commissioners "should seriously consider that type of organizational structure in the future." Bicher, Tracy noted, comes to Lancaster County highly recommended by the Pocopson Home administrator and by the Chester County commissioners.
9. Residence: on 19 Apr 1983 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. 8
10. Obituary: North Coventry Township Website (http://www.northcoventry.us/webspages/deegan_mem.html) in 2008 in North Coventry Twp., Chester, PA. John (Jack) H. Bicher Jr., 77, of North Coventry, died April 5, 2008 at ManorCare of Pottstown. He was the husband of Dolores R. (Raezer) Bicher. Mr. Bicher was born in Reading to the late Margaret and John H Bicher Sr. He was a 1948 graduate of Reading High School, and continued on to Albright College and received a degree in Business Administration. He was also a nursing home administrator for various nursing homes in Eastern Pa. In Navy peacetime, he was a lieutenant commander for 40 years.
Mr. Bicher was a member of Reading Liederkranz, Evergreen CC of Fleetwood, a member and former chairman of North Coventry Township Planning Commission, also a 32nd degree mason of Stchter Lodge 254 F &AM, Pottstown.
In addition to his wife, survivors include one son; Mark E., husband of Diane L. Beck of Boyertown, and three grandchildren; Stephanie L. Beck of Pottstown; Airman Michael A. Beck of Keesler of Air Force Base in Miss., and Devon Beck at home. Also one greatgrandaughter, Julianna N. Service from Bean Funeral Home, 6 Fairlane Rd., Exeter, Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark F. Pettis officiating. Interment Forest Hills Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. A Masonic Service will be conducted by Stichter Lodge 254 F&AM, Pottstown at 10:30 a.m. Floral tributes would be appreciated or contributions may be made to the American Heart Asso., 625 West Ridge Pike, suite A100, Conshohocken, PA 19428 or American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave. Reading, PA 19605 in memory of Mr. John H. Bicher Jr. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.
11. Obituary: Pottstown Mercury on 9 Apr 2008 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. 5 BICHER John H. Bicher, Jr., 77 years of age, of North Coventry Township, died April 5, 2008 at ManorCare of Pottstown. He was the husband of Dolores R. (Raezer) Bicher. Service from Bean Funeral Home, 6 Fairlane Road, Exeter Township, Friday at 11 am Rev. Mark F. Pettis officiating. Interment Forest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday 10-11 am Masonic Service will be conducted by Stichter Lodge 254 F&AM, Pottstown at 10:30 am. Floral tributes would be appreciated or contributions may be made to the American Heart Asso., 625 West ridge Pike, suite A100, Conshohocken, PA 19428 or American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave. Reading, PA 19605 in memory of Mr. John H. Bicher, Jr. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.
John married Dolores Ann Raezer, daughter of Clive H. Raezer and Margaret H. Yoder, on 12 Feb 1954 in Reading: St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, Berks, PA, USA.1 2 3 (Dolores Ann Raezer was born on 5 Sep 1930 in Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA 7 14 15 16, christened on 22 Nov 1931 in Reading: Christ Episcopal Church, Berks, PA, USA,15 died on 18 Jan 2019 in Pike Twp., Berks, PA 7 16 and was buried on 25 Jan 2019 in Reiffton: Forest Hills Memorial Park, Berks, PA 7 16.)
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