David Berkstresser

David Robert Berkstresser, 56, of West Lawn, PA, passed peacefully on February 11, following a valiant battle with brain cancer, at the home of his sister.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, David was the son of Robert William and Marlene Louise Berkstresser (nee Baer).

At the age of two, after his father's graduation from Northwestern University, David's family moved to Waltham, Massachusetts, where his father had secured a job as a physicist. This is where David and his sister, Diane grew up. David's mother completed two years at Kutztown State teacher's college, now Kutztown U., and was a homemaker.

As a child, David enjoyed drum and trumpet lessons, roller skating and with his family at Wal-Lex, competing on the Speed Team; Boy Scouts; summer camp at Camp Squanto in Swanzee Lake, New Hampshire, Camp Cabot and family time at the Cabot Reservation in Waltham.

Hiding out with a friend or two in the lower level of the Piety Corner Club to escape instructors of the Piety Corner School of Ballroom Dancing and Social Etiquette was also a favorite pastime. As a teenager, he enjoyed playing his bass guitar, jammin' with his buddies.

David' life was spent as a dedicated father, loving uncle, caring brother, loyal friend, passionate, patriotic American and avid Steelers fan; neither time, nor money, were withheld to those in need.

He was an avid gardener, a voracious reader and a skilled billiards player.

In his younger years, he worked for the famous MacDowell Landscape company as a stone mason, and later earned a Class A driver license, consequently driving an 18 wheeler on roads such as the treacherous Highway 17 in Santa Cruz, CA.

While living in CA, he also created a flower business, naming it "Misty Mountain" after his favorite Led Zeppelin song.

David was a talented photographer, his favorite subject being his daughter, Elizabeth, whose every move was immortalized beautifully over the course of her childhood.

It was with gratitude and humility that David felt that his crowing achievement was Elizabeth's graduation from Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia, where she earned the distinctions of Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, double majoring in English Literature and Political Science.

David's naturally gregarious nature, jovial spirit and infinitely kind heart will be greatly missed.

David was predeceased by his parents and his step-mother, Doris S. Berkstresser.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Berkstresser and her spouse, Juan Cajigas of St. Louis, MO; sister, Diane L. Runyeon of Wyomissing; nephew, Addison Wyant Levitt of West Lawn and three step-siblings: James Brown of Concord, MA, Pete Brown of Boston, MA and Douglas Brown on San Francisco, CA.

A private service will be held at Advent Lutheran Church, West Lawn. The family will receive friends and relatives at Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, on Monday, February 16, 2015 from 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Advent Lutheran Church, 16 Telford Ave., West Lawn, Pa 19609.

Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.