R. Allen Hartz

R. Allen Hartz, 71, passed away peacefully in his home on January 19, 2023 after a battle with cancer. He was the devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Cathy (Bitler), with whom he shared nearly 53 years of marriage. Allen was born on January 26, 1951 to the late Ralph James and Eva Arlene (Ray) Hartz and was a lifelong resident of Honey Brook.

Allen had a love of cars that began early in life. As a boy, he was a skilled midget racer, an activity he enjoyed sharing with his father. There, he became known as “Speed,” a nickname that would stick with him for years. As an adult, he enjoyed working on cars, buying and selling them, and attending car shows, although he never saw anything that quite matched the ‘57 turquoise Chevy Corvette he had briefly owned and cherished. 

Allen graduated from Twin Valley in 1968 and worked for years as a car mechanic and assembler. While many knew him to be mechanically inclined, Allen was also a skilled artist and would have liked to be a drafter, as he enjoyed putting together technical drawings & plans. Allen always enjoyed researching and learning new things, something he continually encouraged of his kids & grandkids. Friends and family would tell you that he was a wealth of broad knowledge and you could always “Ask Al”. Less known about Allen was that he also had a great passion for writing screenplays and poetry. He also enjoyed fishing and playing cards.

Allen was a wonderful husband, father, Pop-Pop, brother and friend. He most enjoyed his time shooting the breeze around a fire pit with friends and family, his beloved dog, Jesse, and smoking his pipe.

Allen is survived by his loving wife, Catherine (Bitler); two sons, Allen (Aimee) of Wagontown and Matthew (Jennifer) of Thorndale; and two loved granddaughters, Lexi and Emma. He also leaves siblings, Linda (late David), Carolyn (Ronnie), Brenda (Rahn) and Donnie (Dianne), as well as cherished cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will respect Allen’s wishes not to have a service. A celebration of life may be planned at a later date, at the convenience of the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at berkscremations.com for the Hartz family.

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