Obituary of Henry T. Kern

Henry T. Kern (November 20, 1947-March 2, 2017) Henry (Hank) Kern passed away peacefully at the Good Shepherd Penn Partners Specialty Hospital At Rittenhouse in Philadelphia, PA, following a long and difficult period of illness. Hank touched many lives in his 69 years of life and will be dearly remembered by those who knew him, especially for his kindness, generosity, love of Eagles football, concern for US Armed Services veterans, love of family and people in general, and great sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Connie Kern, son Christopher Kern (Susan), daughter Cheryl DiPadova (Gregory, deceased), stepdaughter Beth Bakley (Robert), son-in-law Scott Rahl (stepdaughter Kelly, deceased), eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Hank was the fifth of the fourteen children of Matilda and Frederick Kern, 11 surviving, including: Frederick Kern (Genevieve); Joan Loftus (Charles, deceased); Patricia Vogel, deceased; Dennis Kern (Christy); Gregory Kern (Linda); Donna MacDonald (Daniel); Lawrence Kern (Margaret, deceased); Nancy Mealey; Maureen Kern (Joseph); Paul Kern (Diane); Karen Winter (Rudolph); Michael Kern (Amy); Kathleen Leposki (Brian). Hank lived in the Manyunk and Roxborough sections of Philadelphia for the first half of his life. He later moved to Harrison Township, NJ, and married his wife Connie in 1982. The couple has resided in Mullica Hill, NJ, for the past eleven years. Mr. Kern attended Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. He was a graduate of The Philadelphia College Of Textiles And Science (now Philadelphia University). In 1967, Hank joined the US Army where he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry and soon thereafter served in the Vietnam conflict as Squad Leader, where he was seriously wounded in 1968 and honorably discharged in 1969. Mr. Kern was awarded the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Service Medal for his brave efforts in Vietnam. Mr. Kern was employed by the Federal Reserve Bank Of Philadelphia in 1974 as an Accounting Clerk. His work ethic, keen intellect, and way with people ultimately led to his promotion to Vice President. In this role he headed several departments ending with Cash Services, from which he retired in 2004 after a career spanning 30 years. His proudest achievement was to play a key role in the development and implementation of the US Treasury Department's "Treasury Direct" system. More recently, Hank dedicated his energies towards helping US Armed Services veterans, primarily through his leadership in Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #44 where he has served as Trustee, Treasurer, and Senior Vice Commander. Friends may greet the family on Monday from 5-9pm in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Words of Remembrance will be at 7:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Disabled American Veterans, Cape May County Chapter #44, c/o James S. Carter, Commander, 233 Ohio Ave., Villas, NJ 08251-2327.