Gerald Spitz, 72, former Pa. state representative

Gerald J. Spitz, 72, of Garnet Valley, a former state representative from Delaware County and later an administrative law judge, died Thursday, Dec. 5, of complications from sarcoidosis at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Born in Ridley Park, Judge Spitz lived in Prospect Park and Concord Township before moving to Garnet Valley in 2011. He graduated from Ridley Park High School in 1959 and received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1963 from Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University.

After graduating in 1966 from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa., Judge Spitz served in the Army in the late 1960s and was deployed to Vietnam.

He practiced law in Delaware County, later becoming deputy district attorney and then special prosecutor.

In 1978, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House. He served from 1979 to 1984 as a Republican in the 162d District, which includes Prospect Park, Sharon Hill, and Glenolden.

"He loved telling stories about his political years, meeting his constituents," said his wife, the former Pamela Weaver. "He had no pretensions."

In the 1980s, he was appointed an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration. He never retired.

He enjoyed walking his dog, a yellow lab named Barney, and taking bike rides in Ocean City, N.J., where he spent summers for more than 60 years.

He volunteered for many local organizations' boards, and worked briefly as chairman of volunteers for the Delaware County branch of the American Red Cross.

Besides his wife of 40 years, he is survived by daughters Megan E. and Alison J.; four grandchildren; three brothers; and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Providence Friends Meeting, 105 N. Providence Rd., Media. Interment is private.

Contributions may be made to the American Red Cross via www.redcross.org, or Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research via www.stopsarcoidosis.org.