Bert Lohman Agnew, age 85, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday October 27, 2012 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He was born November 3, 1926 in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, the third child of Jean and Willard F. Agnew. Bert grew up and attended school in Aspinwall where he was highly successful. He was President of HiY, President of his sophomore and senior class and Vice President of his junior class. Active in sports, he was the left halfback for the Aspinwall Cavaliers, who in 1943 were undefeated, untied and unscored upon on their way to winning the Western PA class B championship. Bert graduated with honors in 1944 and entered the Navy. He spent 2 years in various officer-training programs at Ursinus and Villanova Colleges, actively serving in World War II. Bert graduated from Penn State University in 1948 with a degree in Economics. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi, honorary business fraternity and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Bert married his childhood sweetheart, Janet Beck, on October 8, 1948. They met in kindergarten. He began working for the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania that same year. Bert was actively involved in civic affairs in New Castle, Pennsylvania and in 1959 was honored as “Man of the Year.” His work with Bell of Pennsylvania transferred him to Scranton and eventually to Philadelphia where he retired in 1984. Moving to Pinehurst in the early 80′s, Bert became involved with Habitat for Humanity, was a founding member and treasurer of the Congregational Church on Linden Road and served 5 years on the Board of Governors for the Pinehurst Country Club. At the time of his death, Bert enjoyed the warm fellowship of Pinehurst United Methodist Church. With a great sense of adventure, Bert and Janet travelled the globe from Alaska to New Zealand. He also loved to play golf, was a voracious reader and relished a good political discussion. Of his many accomplishments, Bert was most proud of his role as patriarch of the Agnew family. In recent years, he presided over the extended Agnew clan reunions in Pipestem, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his older siblings, Frances and Chick, and younger siblings, Nina and Reid and granddaughter, Susan Bossert. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet, his three favorite daughters: Cinda Musters (Janharm) of the Netherlands, Kerry Bossert (Steve) of Hamilton, Ohio and Tracy Gribben of Troy, Michigan. Also, eight grandchildren: Reinier, Anna and Jocelyn Musters of the Netherlands, Stephanie Schubert and Meredith Bossert of Ohio, and Emily Pilat, Nancy Porath and Sally Gribben of Michigan. He has 12 great grand-children: Sklyar, Allison, Maurits, Jackson, Riley, Victoria, Christine, Brett, Dylan, Olivia, Josephine and Juliette. Bert’s gregarious nature endeared him to family, friends and all who met him. He will be affectionately remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and love of life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pinehurst United Methodist Church and/or Firsthealth Hospice and Palliative Care.
A Memorial service celebrating Bert’s life will be held at Pinehurst United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday November 4, 2012.
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