Obituary of Albert D. Erb

 Albert D. Erb, Sr. Retired School Principal 

Albert D. Erb, Sr., 89, a longtime resident of Plymouth Meeting, PA and Ocean City, NJ passed away peacefully holding his wife’s hand on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

He was the loving husband of Sylvia Reese Erb for over 66 years. They met in Ocean City, NJ on July 18, 1955 and were married December 26, 1955 in Tamaqua, PA.

He was born January 14, 1933 in Pottstown, PA son of the late Albert F. Erb and Mildred Knecht Erb.  He was a graduate of Pottstown High School Class of 1950 and Kutztown University Class of 1954, BS in Education.  He received a Master’s Degree in Education and School Administration from Temple University in 1960. 

He began his career in education September 1954 as a 5th and then 6th grade teacher at Plymouth Consolidated School in the then Plymouth Township School District which became Colonial School District.  In September of 1959 he became the Principal of Plymouth Consolidated and Black Horse Elementary School. He became the first Principal of Ridge Park Elementary School in September of 1960.  He continued on to become the Principal of The Lafayette Consolidated School, Whitemarsh Elementary, Colonial 4-5 School and Conshohocken Elementary consecutively until his retirement from Colonial School District in August of 1994.   He loved his job and was known to hundreds of students, parents and teachers for his warmth and humor.

Then he was able to serve for 11 years as an interim principal in the East Penn School District, North Penn School District, Perkiomen Valley School District, Lower Merion School District and Colonial School District including Colonial Elementary, Colonial Middle School, Conshohocken Elementary and Ridge Park Elementary.

Following his retirement as a school principal he worked for his sons David Erb and Jeff Erb at David Erb Contractors and Erb Mascio Builders. 

His professional memberships included the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals where he served as president in 1976, The National Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, The Montgomery County Elementary and Secondary School Principals, Kutztown University Alumni Association and Phi Delta Kappa.  As part of the PAESP and NAESP professional association work he conducted workshops for aspiring Elementary and Secondary Principals encouraging and inspiring new talent for over 15 years.

His Community Memberships included William Jeans Library, Plymouth Meeting Historical Society, The Triangle Club of Norristown, Whitemarsh County Art Center and he was honored by the Whitemarsh Junior Women’s Club as an Outstanding Principal in the Colonial School District in 1989.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill, PA.  He served 3 terms on church council in the 1980’s and participated each January for many years in the Boar’s Head Yule Log Festival as the head usher.

He loved sports both as a participant & spectator.  He was a Phillies, 76ers, & Eagles Fan holding NFL season tickets since 1961.

He and his wife Sylvia loved spending time both in Plymouth Meeting and Ocean City, NJ walking the beach, dancing, playing Gin and spending time with family, friends & the cats.  He was a devoted husband, loving father, gracious host and enjoyed a Manhattan at cocktail hour.  When you pour a drink or have cocktails with friends please remember to toast “Al Erb” and continue the celebration of his life. 

In addition to his wife of 66 years Sylvia R. Erb, he is survived by four children - Albert Erb Jr. , David M. Erb (Deborah), Jeffrey S. Erb (Nancy) Megan Erb Diciurcio (Todd), eight Grandchildren - Trey Erb (Ashley), Tim Erb, David Erb Jr., Danielle Erb (Nick), Dominique Erb, Damon Erb (Stephanie),  Jessica Erb Quinzani (Gus), Brian Erb (Chloe) and seven Great Grandchildren - Giavanna Guess, Lucciana Guess, Nicholas Guess, Santino Guess, Lorenzo Guess, Davida Erb & Icarus Erb, also survived by a sister Alice Erb Rodenberger (Robert).

Interment will be private.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the:  Colonial School District Education Foundation.

Go to this link and click Donate – Select memorial gift - note “In Memory of Albert D. Erb, Sr.”  https://www.colonialsd.org/foundation/foundation

Tax Deductible contributions may also be sent in Memory of Albert D. Erb, Sr.  

Checks can be made out to Colonial School District Education Foundation 230 Flourtown Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

Please share images & notes through the message board.  

Cards can be mailed to Mrs. Sylvia Erb & Family c/o Moore, Snear & Ruggiero 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428  (610) 828-0330.   

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330.
www.msrfh.com.