Robert S. Bertke, 72, 4730 Fort Loramie-Swanders Road, Minster, died April 1, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Aug. 22, 1936, in Wendelin, to Edmund and Marcella Post Bertke. On May 30, 1967, he married Mary Ellen "Myrt" Albers, who survives.

Other survivors are his children, Amy (Dave) Nestor, Cleveland, Betsy (Kevin) Meiring, Fort Loramie, Melissa Bertke, West Chester, Robert N. Bertke, Cincinnati, and Nichole Bertke, Fort Loramie; and four grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother, Valerius Bertke.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Fort Loramie, and its men's sodality. He was a 1954 graduate of St. Henry High School and a 1964 graduate of the University of Dayton, where he received a master's of science degree in engineering in 1968. He worked for 14 years at UDRI at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, then joined the Impact Physics Group at the base. He was responsible for low velocity ballistic studies of aircraft materials until he retired in 1999.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad.