Harvey L. Bilker

Harvey L. Bilker

AGE: 79 • Barnegat

Harvey L. Bilker, 79, of Barnegat, passed on Monday, March 26, 2012. Harvey was born on June 15, 1932 in Phil., PA and lived in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA, before settling in Howell, NJ in 1969 and then retiring in Barnegat, NJ in 1999. He was one of the eight editors (Medical and Associated Sciences) for The Random House Dictionary of The English Language and authored over 200 short stories and articles published in anthologies by book houses that include Simon and Schuster, Putnam, Random House and Pocket Books, and in national and local magazines. He wrote three books published by Contemporary Books: "Photojournalism: A Freelancer's Guide"; co-author (with wife, Audrey) of "Writing Mysteries That Sell"; and "Writing Science Fiction That Sells." As a Freelance Reporter-Photojournalist for The New York Times, he was a contributor to The Times Camera Column. Many front page photographs were published by The New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Star Ledger, Asbury Park Press, and Tri-Town News. Harvey was a Broadway Stage Manager, member of Actors' Equity, and scriptreader for Broadway Producers, including Herman Shumlin, the original Producer-Director of the stage play "Inherit the Wind," among other hits, including Robert Redford's first major New York stage performance in "Tall Story." Being a registered Pharmacist for over 40 years, he was a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry and medical writer of documents regarding new ethical drugs for submission to the FDA. He also wrote documents for international regulatory agencies for approval of new drugs worldwide. Clients included Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, SmithKline Beecham, Merck & Co., Pharmacia & Upjohn, Schering Plough, Abbott Laboratories, and Pfizer.

He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Audrey, in 2000. Surviving are his sisters, Selma Zonies and Gladys Leabman; brother, Stanton Bilker; son, Scott L. Bilker; and grandchildren, Brandon S. Bilker, Grant L. Bilker, and Brooke A. Bilker.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Thursday, March 29, 2012 at The Barnegat Memorial Cemetery, West Bay Ave, Barnegat. Barnegat Funeral Home, is in charge of arrangements. For information and condolence messages to the family, visit www.BarnegatFH.com.