Dr. Donald R. Bortz, Ed.D.

OBITUARY

Don passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026. Don was born on March 24, 1935 in Bethlehem, the son of the late Elmer E. and Alvina M. (Pursell) Bortz. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1953. He was married to Dolores D. (Polack) for 70 years and was a 43 year educator.

While attending college and as a Bethlehem Area School District teacher, he worked for the Bethlehem and Detroit Boys’ Clubs serving as an Athletic Director. He was the Water Front Director at Bethlehem’s Camp Mohican for a number of summers and was Assistant Director for the Detroit Camp in 1959.

Don earned his B.S. from Moravian and his Master’s and Doctorate from Lehigh. In 1962 he became a principal in Nazareth and opened the Shafer Elementary School. In 1966 he became a professor at East Stroudsburg University (ESU) where he spent 34 years. At ESU he held various positions including directing their Education Learning Center, being a consultant to PA School Districts directing off campus graduate education courses and serving as the Chair of Secondary and Professional Education. He was also involved in International Education.

Don was an active member of Fritz Memorial United Methodist Church for over 60 years. He sang in the choir, taught Sunday Schol and held many offices. He was a volunteer at Fritz Church and at Kirkland Village (K.V.) where he resided. He served as a vice president and president of KV’s Resident Council.

SURVIVORS: Don and Del had two beloved sons: Curt of Whitehall, PA and Kevin (Anne) of London, England. They have three beloved grandchildren: Clotilde of London England, Camille (Andrew Knight) of Melbourne, Australia, and Maxime of Grenoble, France. Besides his parents, he was predeceased in death by brother Elmer E. and sisters Joan L. Nikkel and Carole M. LaBar. Don will be dearly missed and his family will cherish their happy memories with him.

SERVICES: A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 10:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. at Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Following the visitation, there will be a reception held at Kirkland Village. Interment will be private at Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA, 18017. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fritz Memorial U.M. Church at W. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015.