Richard R. Bertocki, Ph.D., 78, of the Oak Hills area died at 9:55 a.m. Saturday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Born in Braeburn, Westmoreland County, July 6, 1926, he was a son of Emilio and Concetta Manna Bertocki; and he was raised and resided in the Butler area all his life.

A 1944 graduate of Butler High School, he received a bachelor's degree in secondary education at Slippery Rock University; and a master's degree in elementary education and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Bertocki was a well-known educator and administrator in the Butler School District for more than 30 years. During his career, he had been a teacher and principal at Lyndora Elementary School and principal at Institute Hill, Bon-Aire, Oakland Township, Summit Township and Meridian elementary schools. He had served as associate director of elementary education and retired as principal at McQuistion Elementary School.

He also was an accomplished musician and was very involved in the music department in school as well as in the community. While a student, he had his own radio show and also performed as a soloist at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh.

He served as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

He was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, American Legion Michael Kosar Post 778 of Lyndora, the National Association of Elementary Principals Planning Committee, the Irene Stacy Mental Health Clinic Activities Committee and the United Fund State-Level Committee.

Surviving are his wife, Betty Prost Bertocki, whom he married June 25, 1949; a son, Richard James Bertocki of Butler; three daughters, Diana Hinchberger and her husband, Paul A. Hinchberger Jr., Carol Monnie, and her husband, Douglas Monnie and Patricia Bertocki, all of the Butler area; and a sister, Dolores "Dolly" Bertocki Malcolm of Middletown, Ohio.

He also is survived by five grandchildren: Paul A. Hinchberger III and his wife, Mindy, Joshua Hinchberger and his fiancée, Ambuer, Michael Hinchberger, Krista Schaffer and Douglas R. Monnie.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Esther Bertocki Whyte.

BERTOCKI - Friends of Richard R. Bertocki Ph.D., who died Saturday, June 18, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 127 Franklin St. The Rev. Jack Nanz will officiate. Burial will be at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.The Women's Council of St. Peter Church will recite the rosary at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday at the church.Please visit the funeral home Web site at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.