Delbert "Bert" Mead

Jun 7, 1946 -

Dec 28, 2025

Delbert "Bert" Ray Mead passed away on Dec. 28, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, from health issues related to Parkinson's. Bert was born at home in Montrose, Pa., on June 7, 1946, to Elmer and Mildred (Snyder) Mead who preceded him in death. Also preceding in death were siblings, Charles Mead, Mary Mead, Esther Mains, Joyce Candy and Kendall Mead; and in-laws, Evelyn Mead, Elbert Decker, Richard Palmer and Richard Hower. Bert is survived by his husband of 31 years, Steven Cook; son, Craig Mead; daughter, Diane (Colleen) Heaney-Mead; and grandchildren, Alistair, Imogen and Marion. Also surviving are siblings ,Donald Mead, Elaine Decker, Peg Palmer and Karen Hower; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Mead, Julie (Tim) Arends and Amy (Jason) Cook-Otto; and former wife and friend, Jan (Dave) Campana. Many loved and cherished nieces and nephews also survive. Bert graduated from Montrose High School in 1967, Albright College with a Bachelor of Science in 1972, and from Duke University with a Master of Forestry in 1975. Bert began his career working for the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service in the Intermountain Station in Ogden, Utah, before transferring to the Pacific Northwest Station in Anchorage, where he retired after 30 years of service. Bert and Jan met in Utah where she was a nurse, and they eventually started a family in Anchorage. After their marriage ended, Bert and Steve, who at the time was teaching in an Alaska bush village, met in an AOL chat room and Steve eventually moved to Anchorage to begin many happy years of adventures. Once Bert and Steve had both retired, they traveled some with two cross-country drives to Michigan and Pennsylvania and also enjoyed many trips to Sedona for the extensive hiking opportunities. In his free time Bert tended his extensive plantings both inside and outside, with the highlights being his clematis, peonies, begonias and African violets. He could always find something to do in the flower gardens, and later began his version of bonsai trees with local Alaska trees. Genealogy was also a great interest. He was also an avid reader and in later years began listening to hours and hours of audible books. Memorial contributions can be given to the Arbor Day Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association or simply go and plant a tree on your own as you remember Bert.