Dr. Bernard H. "Butch" "Bernie" DiGiacobbe, 60, Altoona, died unexpectedly Sunday evening at Altoona Regional Health System, Seventh Avenue Campus Emergency Room, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
He was born in Altoona, son of Ribelle (Gerardini) DiGiacobbe and the late Dr. Hugo R. DiGiacobbe.
Surviving are his mother; four siblings: Michael, Janette and Denise DiGiacobbe and Dana Ratchford and husband, Daniel, all of Altoona; three nieces and a nephew: Daniel Ratchford Jr., Dara Johnson and husband, Brett, Denae Rogers and husband, Wesley, and Danyiel D'Antonio and husband, John; and five great-nephews.
Dr. DiGiacobbe graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1969, the University of Pittsburgh in 1973 and the University of Guadalajara Medical School, Mexico, in 1977, and he served his residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was a self-employed radiologist for more than 30 years in Blair and Cambria counties.
Dr. DiGiacobbe was a contributing author for various sporting journals and periodicals and enjoyed sports cars.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 9:30 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, March 22, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home, Altoona, Father Carl Spishak officiating. Committal rites will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery, Gallitzin.
In memory of Dr. DiGiacobbe, please make contributions to pancreatic cancer research, c/o the Greg and Cathy Griffith Family Foundation, 1644 Plank Road, Duncansville, PA 16635 (griffithfamilyfoundation.org); or to the American Heart Association, 501 Howard Ave., Suite D101, Altoona, PA 16601.