David J. Bierbach

David J. Bierbach, 63 of 738 Congress Hill Rd. Franklin, passed away at 12:05 A.M. Tuesday November 13, 2012 at his residence.



Born August 4, 1949 in Franklin, he was the son of the late Donald F. and Dorothy L. Reynolds Bierbach.



Mr. Bierbach attended Valley Grove Schools until 9th grade when he attended Franklin High School as a tuition student. Graduating from FHS in 1967 he was awarded an athletic scholarship to Westminster College, where he graduated in 1971 with a BA in social studies/secondary education.



Following graduation he served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973 as a member of the 525th Military Police Company during the Vietnam War era attaining the rank of Specialist 4. He was honorably discharged November 23, 1973.



Mr. Bierbach began his teaching career at Franklin High School in 1974 as a substitute teacher. In 1977 he accepted a supervisor?s position at the CPT foundry, Franklin. Mr. Bierbach went on to become a quality control supervisor. Rather than transfer with the company, he returned to part-time teaching at FHS in the early 1980?s. In 1985 he began coaching Franklin football with his Westminster College buddies and teammates, Rich Hancox and Fred Blackhurst. He continued coaching football for 15 years becoming a full time teacher in 1992. He also coached FHS track and field for 15 years, many as head coach. He retired from teaching in 2009 having been credited with 22.5 years of service.



Mr. Bierbach was truly dedicated to teaching his social studies students and considered coaching an extension of the classroom. The teaching profession was a great source of joy for him, working with youth, friends and colleagues for over 25 years.



As a coach, Mr. Bierbach?s forte was coaching quarterback which was his own starting position at Westminster College for four years under legendary coach Dr. Harold E. Burry. He Captained the Titans to the 1970 NAIA Division II National Championship receiving the ?most outstanding back? award for both the semi and final national championship games. His stellar career also included being the 1st ever Westminster quarterback to start and play all four years. As a starter the Titans were 25-4 having missed 5 games due to injury. In 1970 the Associated Press names him 1st Team College all-state (with 16 touchdown passes.) Mr. Bierbach was inducted into the Westminster Titan Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.



He was a long time member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church most of his life, where he also enjoyed mowing the church lawn at the corner of 8th and Elk Streets. Most recently Mr. Bierbach had been serving as a member of the church council. Other memberships included the Rainbow Beagle Club, Rocky Mountain Foundation, NRA, the Keystone Elk County Alliance and the FHS Hall of Fame Committee.



Many friends will remember Mr. Bierbach?s love for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting whitetails with gun or bow, fishing the Allegheny, or just taking a walk in the woods with his dog. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his wife, eating out, and the many summer vacations they shared traveling the U.S. Mr. Bierbach was especially thankful to have had the opportunity to spend extra time at home with his daughter, Ashley, upon her college graduation.



On October 20, 1986 he married the former Nancy J. Elder who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Ashley B. Bierbach, of Franklin; a sister, Darlene S. Bierbach of Olney, MD; a niece, Mary Kay Laux and her husband Bill and a great niece, Caitlyn ?Kiki? Laux all of Centerville, VA; and a cousin Carol Confer and her husband Newell and their children, Steve, Lori, and Lisa, all of Franklin.



A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 312 West Park St. Franklin, with the Rev. Dr. Ralph Jones, Bishop of the Northwestern PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.



Interment will be made in the Franklin Cemetery.