Robert H. "Bob" Bernth

Robert "Bob" H. Bernth of La Porte, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Feb. 23, 2026, surrounded by family and other loving caregivers.

Bob was born in La Porte on Dec. 13, 1940, to Henry Bernth and Charlotte (Weaver) Hartmann.

After meeting as students at Valparaiso University, he married Martha (Asman) Bernth in Saginaw, Michigan, on Aug. 17, 1963. They resided together in La Porte for all 62 years of their marriage, and he is survived by her.

Bob is also survived by his three sons, Rev. Erik (Sara) Bernth of Porter, Indiana, Steven (Amy) Bernth of La Porte and Jason (Lisa Pepper) Bernth of St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren, Joseph (Katelynn), Charles, Carter, Brady and Kylee Bernth; three siblings, Jeanette (John) Baker of La Porte, Dennis (Tammy) Bernth of Mill Creek, Indiana, and LuAnn Bacon of La Porte; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepparents, Roy Hartmann and Bernice Bernth; and one sibling, Donald Hartmann.

Bob retired from human resources and labor relations at the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District in 2011 after 20 years of service. He previously held positions at the La Porte Herald-Argus, La Porte High School, La Porte Chamber of Commerce and Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company. He was also a former elected member of the La Porte City Council and an active member of the La Porte County Democratic Party.

Bob was a proud lifelong La Portean and a student of the city's history. He was also a dedicated amateur genealogist, making new connections with family in Europe, Canada and the United States. As avid travelers in their retired years, he and Martha made trips to visit many of these newfound relatives.

Besides history and travel, Bob loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events, cycling, coaching youth sports, fishing and enduring a frustrating devotion to the Chicago Bears.

Bob's visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Cutler Funeral Home in La Porte. A funeral service will be held at Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church in Porter on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the liturgy. At a later date, a private burial will be held at Pine Lake Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County, https://youthservicebureau.com; Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, https://www.augsburglutheran.org; or the Glioblastoma Foundation, https://glioblastoma foundation.org.