Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
1629 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Alan Black Obituary
Judge Black graduated from Liberty High School, Class of 1956; University of Pennsylvania Wharton School (B.S. Econ. with Distinction), Class of 1960; Harvard Law School (J.D.), Class of 1963.
He was in the private practice of law from 1964-1997 with a concentration in commercial litigation. In 1997, he was elected Judge of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas after winning nominations from both the Democratic and Republican Parties and retired as President Judge.
Judge Black was very active in the community, serving as Allentown City Solicitor. Judge Black was a member and Past President and Board Chairman of Temple Beth El, Allentown. He was Past President of the Adult Literacy Center of Lehigh Valley; Board of Governors for the Civic Theatre of Allentown; member of the Allentown Rotary Club; founding Board Member of Confront, Inc.; former Secretary and Board Member of the Lehigh County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board; former Board Member of the Program for Women and Families, Inc; former Legal Counsel and Vice-President of the Allentown Jaycees; and past Vice-President and Board Member of the Jewish Day School of Allentown.
Survivors: Wife; Children, Martin Black and his wife, Nancy, and Sara Black and her husband, Jeff Toll; Grandchildren, Adam and Elise Black; Brothers, Ronald Black and his wife, Linda, and A. Neil Black and his wife, Vicki.
Services: Private. Interment will take place at Beth El Memorial Park, Whitehall. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Allentown.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Beth El, 1305 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alan Black
Sponsored by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, P.C. - Allentown.
Ruth Skinner
September 16, 2022
Watson and I highly respected Alan, a great person.
E.M.
February 2, 2021
May God comfort and guide you during this especially sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dawn Gebhardt
September 24, 2020
He was the judge and sentenced for when my daughter was murdered...God bless h and his family
Sue Wright Geiger
September 23, 2020
My condolences to the Black family.
Carol Robins
September 23, 2020
I remember Alan (and Donna) from Pinemere Camp in the 1950s. So sorry. May his memory be for a blessing.
Linda and Murray Garber
September 23, 2020
Dear Donna and Family,
Our sincere condolences on Alan’s passing! May memories of Alan get you through this trying time and be a blessing to you and your loved ones!
Ruth Skinner
September 22, 2020
My sympathies to the family. Alan was a kind, respected member of the community.
Dick and Rosemary Haber
September 22, 2020
As a teenager, Alan was a leader and scholar with a strong moral and scholastic compass. Donna, his childhood sweetheart, and wife , complimented his devotion on many levels. Time only enhanced these qualities and unsurprisingly, Alan became a dedicated and highly respected jurist, never losing sight of his religious devotion. He was an example that members of his profession would do well to follow....and while accomplishing all this.... he was a good guy. Condolences to Donna and the family.
Dick and Rosemary Haber
Richard L. Orloski
September 22, 2020
Judge Black was simultaneously one of the most brilliant and down-to-earth people I have ever had the honor to be around. He was a real mentor to me, and I will never forget him. I offer his family and loved ones my most sincere condolences.
Jim Orman
September 22, 2020
My deepest sympathy to Donna for the loss of her husband. Alan was a man to be admired by all for his intellect, honesty and absolute integrity.
Elmer Heiney
September 22, 2020
Donna and Family, Please accept my most sincere sympathy on the loss of your loved one. My prayers are with you. I know how difficult is to lose a family member.
Laura A Reiss
September 22, 2020
Donna my heart goes out to! You were so good to take on caretakers duties with so much love. God Bless you and your family.
Laura Ann Reiss
Matthew Thomas
September 22, 2020
I had the honor and privilege to be the commercial banker for Alan's law firm in the eighties and nineties. He was an exceptional lawyer and exceptional gentleman. He was plainly and simply brilliant.
I also was the commercial banker for Morris Black & Sons over the same time period and they were all fine individuals.
My deepest condolences to everyone in Alan's family and all his relatives.
Matt Thomas
Chuck Levine,MD
September 22, 2020
Donna: My condolences. Alan was a gentleman and a scholar. He inspired me to be a better person.
Chuck Levine,MD
Elisabeth Hopkins
September 22, 2020
In Judge Black’s chambers attached to Courtroom 8, a painting I admired hung prominently on the wall he had to walk past in order to go on the bench. I wish I had taken a picture of it. Effectively, the message was, He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: To seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God. Michah 6:8
Judge Black, more than anyone I have ever known, embodied these words. I have the utmost respect for him as a jurist, as a man of faith, and as a person. He lived a life that was beyond reproach. I will always remember with deep fondness my time as his law clerk. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Black and the entire family.
Susan (Roth) Kelsey
September 22, 2020
A life well lived. He was a pioneer, especially assisting Richard and Robert Csandl in the founding of Confront--where MANY people got the help they needed at a time when they needed it the most. May his memory be a Blessing. Susan Roth Kelsey [email protected]
Sean Duffy
September 22, 2020
Judge Black was a great and good man. I was honored to serve with him briefly on the Adult Literacy Council board years ago. The ALC was a great organization, which operated on a shoe string and, with the benefit of Alan Black's leadership, helped thousands of Allentown residents, many new arrivals, improve their lives. Judge Black's commitment to public service, especially to the least advantaged among us, inspired me and all his former board colleagues. Condolences to Alan's family and his many friends.
Sean Duffy
Neffs, PA
Jody A. Mooney
September 22, 2020
Judge Black went on the bench shortly before I started practicing. As a young litigator standing before him for motions and argument, I noted he was always very respectful to all sides, interested in the law, and issued excellent rulings and opinions. And outside of the courtroom, he was a very nice and respected gentleman. I am proud to have his signature on my Lehigh County bar admission from 2001. Rest In Peace, Judge Black.
Jody A. Mooney
Alan Miller
September 22, 2020
My sincere condolences to the entire Black family for their loss. Judge Black was an honorable man and a true mensch, in every sense of the word. Rest in peace from a Life well lived!!
Joe Hanna
September 22, 2020
My condolences to the Black family on the loss of Judge Black. He was an exceptional Jurist with an exceptional legal mind. Most importantly a fine man.
May God Rest His Soul.
James Hickey
September 21, 2020
A towering intellect, and one of the best men it was my honor to know.
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Make a Donation
in Alan Black's name
Memorial Events
for Alan Black
Funeral services provided by:
Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, P.C. - Allentown1629 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102
How to support Alan's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Alan Black's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
