Robert Bickham

Robert Bickham, 57, of Ontelaunee, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at his home.

Born October 15, 1963 in Sellersville, PA, he was the son of Minerva (Reimert) Hoppes and the late Daniel Y. Hoppes. He and his wife of 20 years, Michelle L. (Evans) Bickham, were married on May 27, 2000 in Reading, PA.

Bob spent his life in service to his community and to others. He was a police officer and Field Training Officer for the City of Reading from 1993 to 2016. He continued as a police officer working as a Sergeant for the Bernville Borough Police Department from 2014 until his retirement at the end of 2020. Bob also was a current Berks County Deputy Coroner, a position he has held since 2018.

Bob was a 1981 graduate of Oley Valley High School and graduated from the Reading Police Academy in 1993. He was a 4th Degree Black Belt and an instructor at the Wado-Ryu Martial Arts Studios in Adamstown & Ephrata. Bob was a member of the United States Wado-Ryu Karate Federation for the last 26 years. He was also a member of the Blue Knights PA IV "Law Enforcement" Motorcycle Club, Temple, the Reading Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9, the Fredericksburg VFW, the American Legion Riders, Fredericksburg, PA, and a member of the Board of Directors for the City of Reading Beneficial Association. Bob was recently announced as a nominee for the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame.

Bob was a man that "traveled around the world once, but spoke to everyone twice". He was an avid Miami Dolphins fan and loved hunting, smoking cigars, scuba diving, doing yardwork and most of all, spending time with his family and, especially, his grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his mom and the love of his life, Michelle, are his three children, Jeremy R. Bickham, husband of Amy M. (Moyer) Bickham, Womelsdorf, AshLee E. (Bickham) Stolz, fiancée of Roger Donaldson, Ontelaunee and Kyle R. Bickham, fiancé of Katie Moyer, Ontelaunee. He is also survived by his precious grandchildren, Tristen, Dalton and Kane, along with one on the way, due in November, by his siblings, Richard Reimert, husband of Carole Reimert, Lenhartsville, Donald Bickham, Fleetwood and Patricia (Bickham) Kehl, widow of Harold Kehl, Lenhartsville, his Wado-Ryu family and by many friends he has made along the way.

Funeral Services for Bob will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, 14390 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood.

Viewings will be held for Bob on Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and again on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 9 am until time of services at the funeral home.

The Funeral Service will be LIVE STREAMED on the Walbert Funeral Home Facebook Page on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 11:00 am for all to view virtually.

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made In Memory of Robert Bickham to the charity of your choice.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Bob and his family at this difficult time. Online condolences may be offered at WalbertFuneralHome.com.