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Robert Berdell Obituary
Robert's passing occurred on November 21, 2015 from heart disease at age 63. He was born on November 27, 1951 in Sellersville, PA. He was predeceased by father Russell Berdell and mother Helen Berdell in 1996 and 2009, respectively. He is survived by his partner Brent Lusch, brother James (Carolynn) from Atherton, CA; his niece Lauren (Joshua) and their son Dashielle Podoll of SF, CA. Robert graduated from Pennridge High in Perkasie, PA. in 1970, Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) in Pittsburg 1974, and Loyola Marymount University (MA) in La 1992. With a Drama degree, he became a set designer with the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. In 1970 he moved to Hollywood to work in ABC television for the longest running soap opera, General Hospital. Using design talent, he formed Robert Berdell Designs in San Diego to develop and manufacture evening gown wear for stage and film actresses including Michelle Lee, Morgan Fairchild, and Elizabeth Taylor. Following a prolonged business interruption from an industry writer's strike, he decided to change careers and pursue a Master's Degree in Psychology. Combined with art experience, he began a career in the emerging field of art therapy in clinical psychology. He became a Marriage and Family Therapist to treat abused and injured children and adolescents in San Diego and Palm Springs over twelve years. A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for Monday November 30 at Wiefels Mortuary located at 690 Vella Road in Palm Springs at 5:30 PM, Pastor Royce Bell officiating.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Berdell
Mary Mlodzinska
November 23, 2023
Still missing you Robert, as I drove past PENNRIDGE high school yesterday on a Thanksgiving visit to my family. Any time I'm here and I pass the sign on Rt309 saying Perkasie, I think of you anew. Sigh.
Carol Pochert
February 29, 2020
I was fortunate to have Rob as a friend for nearly 43 years. We met in 1973 and never lost touch. It always brightened my day to find his unmistakable handwriting among my mail. I kept all the photos, letters, cards and gifts because even plain envelopes were uniquely decorated. I valued his creativity, his encouragement, his inspiration but mostly his friendship. I'll always remember our fresh pineapple breakfasts and tree branch hunt through the woods. I loved you then I love you still. Always have always will.
Alice Marie Perreault
June 27, 2017
P.S. I saved all your cards!
Alice Marie Perreault
June 27, 2017
Robert and I met when I was teaching art classes in Oceanside California. He came in as a student and we became fast friends. We were together often for dinners, parties, holidays or just nothing at all.....When I later moved from California we eventually disconnected as both our lives went into different directions. Tonight, I reached out to reconnect and found a photo of Robert on Facebook that is exactly how I remember him. Then, sadly, I found the message about his passing. I am so very sorry I did not reach out sooner. I am now living back in California and would have loved another chance to laugh, hug, vent and just hang out like we used to. Life passes too quickly. I embrace our memories! Love forever to you beautiful Robert. May you be resting peacefully.
Mary Mlodzinska
June 4, 2016
I worked with Robert in his backyard LA studio, launching his first couture line, back in the early 80s. I was his cutter/draper, and remember the outfits so clearly.
We always felt a kinship because he was from Perkasie, and I always had passed signs to Perkasie and Sellersville as I drove from Phila. up to Allentown College. And now low and behold I meet a person from Perkasie!
Plus our birthdays were very close, within a week, same year.
I had sent him a Facebook request some time ago but never got a response. I just thought I would try again 30 minutes ago, and got hit by a ton of bricks.
I'm glad he made a good career change, and found a good partner in life. I was looking forward to laughing with him again, telling jokes and stories, catching up, and shocking him with the path my ownlife had taken me.
Robert, you were and are a good soul, and I'm glad we knew each other. I will think of you and hope you are looking down and sending me occasionally good vibes.
I'm sad and sorry I missed you.
love,
Mary Mlod, your fellow Sagittarian
Michele Ebright
December 15, 2015
I am just now seeing this obituary. Robert has been in my thoughts daily since his death. I wonder if he has sent me a message to let me know he is at peace. Robert had encouraged me to see the movie "The Train", which is an old movie about WWII. I had added it to my netflix account right after our converstation, which was about a year and a half ago. It never came and everytime I checked on it, it said "very long wait". That film arrived from Netflix the week after his death. Could be no more than a coincidence, but I choose to believe otherwise. Robert was the ultimate lover of beauty. His joy in beauty was one the things I most loved about him and learned from him. Peace to Brent and family as they relfect on how fortunate they were to have Robert in their lives.
Martha Spanninger
December 1, 2015
loved doing theatre with Bob in high school. so happy to read about his career in the theatre and television and then the way he reinvented himself later. sorry our paths didn't cross again after summer theatre at Pennridge High in the '70's!
Christine Logan
December 1, 2015
Love and prayers for Robert's family.
December 1, 2015
My deepest sympathy to Brent and the rest of Bob's family. Bob was a unique spirit and always full of a can-do energy that got us through many many long nights at CMU - that and his tuna fish sandwiches! He also had an creative empathy that I am sure served him and his clients well in his second career. In my mind he is still singing, cracking jokes, and sewing sequins. Patrice Alexander
MH
November 29, 2015
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
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