Albert H. Couch

Albert “Bert” H. Couch passed away on March 9, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, family, and lifelong connections. Bert passed away of natural causes, while doing one of the things he loved the most- walking his dog, Linus, on a beautiful spring day through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Bert grew up on the banks of the Maumee River in Maumee, Ohio. He graduated from Maumee Country Day School before continuing his education at Otterbein University and earning his master’s degree in counseling from Kent State University. After college, Bert moved to Akron, Ohio where he lived for the remainder of his life dedicated to his family and to his many wonderful friendships.

Bert had a gift for helping others through crisis and conflict. He spent over 25 years in leadership roles for social service agencies, founding Safe Landing, a shelter for runaway youth, directing a chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and, in the early 1990s, leading an organization focused on caring for and serving the AIDS community. Later, he turned his background in counseling and talent for conflict resolution into a career in mediation, first at the Summit County Court House and later through his own mediation business where he also trained others in the skill of mediation.

Bert was a skilled writer and critical thinker. In 1988, he authored a book “Breaking out of Crisis” which focused on how he confronted his own life crisis, diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the process of healing that came after. He believed that crises can become gifts to the spirit that can lead to greater life.

Bert loved his summers in Northern Michigan, sailing and swimming in Little Traverse Bay, and biking through the back country hills. He also enjoyed exploring the world through travel, including walking the Camino trail in Spain and biking through Holland with his wife Karen.

Bert believed in being generous and doing so quietly. He instructed anyone who would listen that “you never pass up a lemonade stand”, and, when you do encounter one, “you must always over pay”. Bert knew that life was best lived with a dog and rarely went anywhere without his canine companion. He had an incredible laugh, a great sense of humor and a tremendous love of puns.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Karen Barton; his children, Elliot Couch (Alleigh) and Jessica Lawrence (Sheppard); and his granddaughters, Caitlin and Caroline. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Brown (Bowden), his nephews and his nieces and countless friends who were basically family including his friend and partner-in-crime of over 70 years, Larry Becker. Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Albert H. Couch, Sr. and Frances Couch, and his brother, George Couch.

Above all, Bert will be remembered for his sense of humor, his devotion to his family, his tremendous generosity and the many memories he created with those who loved him. His presence will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember his instructions whenever you encounter a lemonade stand. Memorial donations may also be made to Little Traverse Humane Society, the Little Traverse Conservancy or the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

A Celebration of Bert’s life is planned for Monday, March 16 at 11:00 am at Fairlawn West United Church of Christ, 2095 West Market St. Akron 44313 with a reception at the church to follow.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.