Dr. Stephen R. Falken Sr. of Boyertown

Dr. Stephen R. Falken Sr., 96, of Boyertown, passed away at his son’s home on May 25, 2018.

He was the son of the late Joseph and Martha (Wiza) Falkiewicz. Stephen was born in Camden, NJ, on May 2, 1922, and was raised in Reading, PA, on South 11th Street.

Stephen met his wife Jean, the love-of-his-life, on New Year’s Eve 1939 while ice skating in Reading City Park. They were married on June 20, 1944. Stephen and Jean were married for 71-plus years until her passing on February 4, 2016. Only war and death separated them.

Stephen graduated from Reading High School in 1940. He attended Albright College majoring in pre-med. His tuition for his first semester was $200. In December 1942, while a junior at Albright, Stephen enlisted in the Army. He was trained as an infantryman, but was assigned to the medical corps due to his pre-med curriculum at Albright. Stephen was sent to Europe with the 84th Infantry Division (“The Railsplitters”) 335th Infantry Regiment, arriving in the Normandy area of France in November 1944 as a combat medic. He fought in the Battle of Aachen, the Battle of the Bulge and numerous other battles in Central Europe before reaching the Elbe River, Germany, on April 14, 1945.

Stephen was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle East Medal, with three battle stars and the World War II Victory Medal. He returned home in early January 1946.

After graduating from Albright College, he went to Temple School of Dentistry living on North Broad Street next to the Dental School until he graduated in 1951.

Stephen and his wife moved to Boyertown, PA, in June 1951, where they opened a dental practice. Stephen performed all types of general dentistry, but also did extractions, root canals and gum work which are now handled by specialists. His fee for his first procedure, a filing, was $5.00. For many years, Stephen worked 6 days a week and handled emergencies on Sundays and holidays. He retired in 1993 after 42 years of practice.

Stephen loved Christmas and “he knew how to keep Christmas well.” He especially loved decorated Christmas trees and for many years kept small artificial trees decorated throughout the year.

Dubbed the “Dog Whisperer of the Geriatric Set” by his daughter, Stephen had an amazing way with dogs. They would listen to his every command with rapt attention and would follow him everywhere. Perhaps it was the constant supply of dog treats in his pocket.

Stephen had a great love of music. His favorite was Big Band and Jazz. Stan Kenton was his favorite jazz artist, whom he saw perform at Reading High School in the 1970s. In later years, Stephen spent most of his time watching movies, history programs, and listening to music on tv.

Predeceased by his wife and parents, Stephen is survived by his son Stephen Jr., husband of Gretchen (Fedor) of Boyertown, and daughter Susan, partner of Michael Keitsock, of Gilbertsville, and various granddogs and grandcats.

Services and interment were private.

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