Richard Harris "Gramp" Hulbert Sr.

Richard Harris Hulbert Sr. "Gramp," 94, of Lower Macungie, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve. Born March 28, 1931 in Morristown NJ, he was the son of the late Durward and Luella Hulbert. He was the devoted husband of the late Joan Hamlen Hulbert, their marriage started with a "brush of a hand" at a Christmas Party during leave from the Air Force, and blossomed into 72 wonderful years of marriage.

Dick was a loving, caring, and positive husband and father who took immense pride in his family. As a teenager he worked for a cabinet maker to help support his parents and sister Judy. After high school he played semi-pro football for the Rockaway Iron Dukes, volunteered for the Brookside Fire Department, and when war broke out in Korea he enlisted in the Air Force, becoming an in-flight refueling tech on B-29s. As a young man he faced coronary heart disease, and in 1971 underwent one of the first 100 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries performed by Dr. René Favaloro, who pioneered this procedure, at the Cleveland Clinic. Following his recovery, Dick enjoyed a remarkable career in the printing ink industry, rising from plant manager to national sales manager.

He was known for his problem-solving skills and his ability to build deep, lasting relationships with major newspaper publishers. His heart condition led to an early retirement, but Dick embraced the next 37 years with joy and purpose. He helped raise his grandchildren alongside Joan ("Gram"), crafted and sold countless birdhouses, volunteered at Doylestown Hospital, travelled the world, and shared his rich bass voice with the Bach Choir and the Bucks County Choral Society.

Dick is survived by his children: Marrianne Hulbert (Bill), Mark Hulbert (Joyce), Woody Hulbert (Rosie), and Brett Hulbert (Sandra); his sister: Judy Herndon; eight grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Joan, his brother Dewey, and his son Rick.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association.

The celebration of life will be held on Friday January 2nd, at 2pm, at Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Rd, Allentown, PA, 18106. A Zoom link for the service will be provided here.