Bertram Russell Willoughby's Obituary
On July 19, 2018, Bertram Russell Willoughby passed away in the Pavilion, at Shell Point Retirement Community, Fort Myers, Florida.Bertram Russell Willoughby was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 30, 1937 to the late Lucille E. (Laney) and Alvin Russell Willoughby.Bert graduated at the top of his class from Hackensack High School in New Jersey. During those years he was actively involved in track & field and basketball during the school year and served as a life guard and swim instructor at the YMCA over the summer. It was while working at the Y that he met life guard and future wife, Maureen.After graduating from Farleigh Dickinson University in 1958 with a degree in Mathematics and Science, he obtained his first professional job as a Math teacher at Pascack Valley High School in New Jersey. Bert’s strength in math made him an ideal recruit for the burgeoning field of computers. He went on to work for Sperry Univac, Bell Labs, RCA, and Accu-Sort Systems. In 1973 he was a member of the RCA team that installed the first supermarket bar code scanning system. He was recognized as a pioneer in bar code technology and selected by his peers to be an AIDC 100 member, an organization that recognizes the top 100 automatic identification professionals in the world.He established Willoughby & Associates in 1986, specializing in all phases of bar code system consulting, design, implementation, training, and education. His successful business of 30 years included clients such as Ford Motor Co., Merck, Johnson & Johnson, General Mills, Mack Trucks, NYNJ Port Authority, Clemson University, The Volvo Group, and more.Bert was a dedicated professional, but happily carved out time for family and friends. He loved music and spent evenings playing the keyboard. He was a member of many golf clubs and especially enjoyed sharing the sport with his son Burt, Uncle Al, and many friends at Heritage Creek, PA. He was an avid reader and stock investor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Bert leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Maureen nee Devlin; his daughters, Laura Willoughby and Lynne DeAngelis (Curt); grandson Tom Willoughby; granddaughters Keri Palmieri, (son Vincent, Gabriella and Francesca Crimi, Leah and Erin DeAngelis, the Devlin family, and many cousins in Massachusetts and California. A Special Thanks to the staff at the Pavilion.His beloved sons Burt and Thomas Willoughby preceded him in death.A private service will be held in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
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