H. Roger Farber
January 1, 1947 – October 5, 2025
H. Roger Farber, 78, of
Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025. Born on January 1, 1947, in Palmerton, PA, Roger was raised there and graduated from Palmerton High School in 1965. He earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Muhlenberg College in 1969.
Roger dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to Bethlehem Steel, beginning in the Claims Department and advancing to Director of Risk Management. Following the company's closure in 2003, he continued his career with Willis Insurance and later became a licensed realtor.
Deeply involved in his community, Roger served as chairman of numerous committees through the Bethlehem Area Jaycees, and he was a proud Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. A devoted husband and father, he spent many years coaching basketball and Little League and cheering at his children's tennis, cross country, and field hockey events.
Roger was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, where he served on the Property Committee and acted as liaison between the church and the Boy Scouts. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he actively played squash and tennis, including winning the club tennis championship at Silver Creek Country Club. He also loved landscaping, spending time in nature, and enjoying pizza nights with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Bachman Farber; daughter, Katie Farber and her husband, Massimiliano Marzo, of Manhattan, NY; son, Douglas Farber and his wife, Angela Gruber, of Emmaus, PA; granddaughter, June Farber; and sister, Beverly Wernette, of Naples, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Wayne Farber and Irene Stefchak Farber, and brother-in-law, John Wernette.
A private burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery on October 15. A calling hour preceding the funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem on Friday, November 7, beginning at 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger's memory to:
Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, 991 Postal Rd,
Allentown, PA 18109, or online at www.minsitrails.org.
Friends of Parks and Recreation, supporting Bethlehem parks and recreation activities, specifically Sand Island Park, where Roger loved to play tennis. For information, call 518-439-4955, option 7, or email
[email protected].
Roger will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, love of nature, and unwavering support of those he loved.