Russell L. Herbicek | Real estate executive, 97

Russell L. Herbicek, 97, of Lower Gwynedd, a retired real estate company executive, died May 24 at Springhouse Estates in Lower Gwynedd.

Mr. Herbicek grew up in the Fern Rock section of Philadelphia and graduated from Northeast High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. For 27 years, Mr. Herbicek worked in the real estate department of Penn Fruit Co., selecting locations for the company's supermarkets. He then worked in the real estate department of Sears, Roebuck & Co. for 10 years.

In 1972 he joined Crown American Corp. in Johnstown, Pa., a commercial real estate developer. After retiring in 1990, he continued as a consultant into his 80s, said his daughter, Laurie Wagoner. He loved working and procuring land for big projects such as shopping malls, she said.

Mr. Herbicek was a brilliant man and read everything, including the dictionary, Wagoner said. He also enjoyed golf and was a Mason.

Besides his daughter, Mr. Herbicek is survived by daughters Judith Rittmeyer and Martha Orrell; a brother; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His wife of 54 years, Doris Schick Herbicek, died in 1993.

A memorial service was held June 6 at Springhouse Estates, where Mr. Herbicek had lived for 12 years.

Donations may be made to Acts Hospice, 812 Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Pa. 19002.