Peter L. Kern, 83, of Brodheadsville passed away on Wednesday, February 14th, at home surrounded by loved ones. He was married to Carol (Hommer) Kern for 61 years.

Born in Jamaica, New York, he was the son of the late Harry Kern and Laura (Ginocchio) Kern of Kew Gardens, New York.

He received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY and a master’s degree in mathematics from the Institute of Technology of the University of Minnesota. He was a professional engineer licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.

Kern joined the Research Department of The New Jersey Zinc Company in 1965 and participated in major projects in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, and Germany, eventually rising to the position of Senior Vice President. He resigned in 1988 to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Palmerton Hospital, a position he held until his retirement in 2000. He continued his involvement with the Hospital serving in a volunteer role for five years as President of the Palmerton Hospital Foundation.

In addition to his professional career, he was actively involved in community activities. He was elected to two terms as a director of the Pleasant Valley School District and served two years as Board President. He later served ten years as the President of the Pleasant Valley School District Foundation. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Hospital and Health Systems Association of Pennsylvania and served as a director of the American Lung Association of the Lehigh Valley.

In 1988, he was appointed to the founding Board of the Horsehead Community Development Fund and served six years in that role. He served almost 30 years as president of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in the founding of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. He served the latter organization as director for ten years, including four years as its chairman.

He was a member of the Advisory Board of St. John Neumann Regional School in Palmerton, where he also served eight years as mentor to the school’s Chess Team. Since 2010, he served as Treasurer of the Palmerton Area Historical Society.

He was actively involved in the mergers of Lutheran Welfare Services of Hazleton, Lutheran Home at Topton, and Tressler Lutheran Services of Mechanicsburg to form Diakon Lutheran Service Ministries. He served these organizations as a director for 25 years and at various times as Vice Chairman, Corporate Secretary, and Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Upon his retirement, he was given the distinguished honor of Director Emeritus.

In 2009, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Allentown Symphony Association where he served as chairman of the Governance Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee. In 2013, he was elected Board President and was very active in obtaining broad-based community financial support for the organization.

He was a member of Zion United Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville and was active in capital financing and church stewardship.

He is survived by his wife Carol, sons Carl of Palmerton and Keith of Lock Haven, and daughter Karyn Pinter of Mount Bethel, three grandchildren, and brothers Patrick of Hayesville, NC, and Philip of New York, NY. He was pre-deceased by his brother Paul of Baiting Hollow, NY

A memorial church service will be held on Saturday, March 16, at 11:00 AM at Zion United Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville. Following the service, all are welcome to join the family in the church Parish Hall for a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions may be made to Allentown Symphony Association 23 North Sixth Street Allentown, PA 18102 or Palmerton Area Library 402 Delaware Avenue Palmerton, PA 18071.