Bert Minushkin

1930 - 2022

Bert Minushkin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died Friday, February 25, 2022, in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Bert was born Aug. 30, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to parents Sidney and Anna. He graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1952 and then earned a Master of Science in chemical and nuclear engineering from New York University in 1959. He began his career working on the development of civilian nuclear power at Nuclear Development Corporation and at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1970, Bert accepted a position with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He moved with his wife, Rachel, to Greensburg, where they raised their four daughters and lived for more than 40 years until retiring to Royal Palm Beach, Fla. During his career, he published many peer-reviewed papers and received several patents for technological and scientific advances that scientists continue to cite today. After retiring from Westinghouse, Bert continued to put his chemical engineering skills to use in the community by serving in several positions including executive director of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority. In addition to his professional career, Bert and his wife, Rachel, were active members of the community. Bert served in various capacities at Congregation Emanu-El Israel including secretary, vice president and treasurer. He volunteered frequently with his wife, Rachel, at many events including Taste of Westmoreland, one of their favorite annual events because it brought the community together. Bert met his wife, Rachel, in November of 1956 after her Aunt Jean passed a slip of paper to him with her phone number and insisted he call. After two dates Rachel knew he was the guy for her. One night Bert announced he had gotten a raise and would be making $10,000 a year. Rachel said, "Let's get married!" So they did eight months after they met. Several years after marrying, they were blessed with four daughters. Bert is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rachel Minushkin; their four daughters, Lisa Heffley (Jim), Susan Minushkin (Ruben Espejo), Joan Zimmerman (Steve) and Amy Lehrer (Peter); and eight grandchildren, Aaron, Mathew, Allison, Julia, Adam, Caroline, Danny and Leila. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Jacobs, and her children, and by the children of Judith Strauss, his sister and her husband, Louis, who both predeceased him. Chapel services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2022, at KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME, 524 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601. Rabbi Sara Perman will officiate. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting Bert's obituary on www.kepplegraft.com. Mr. Minushkin will be laid to rest following his funeral service at B'Nai Israel Cemetery, Greensburg. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his loving memory to Congregation Emanu-El Israel, 222 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601.