Bert moved to Flagstaff in 1982 after serving seven years of active duty as a Commander in the U.S Naval Reserve. He practiced Orthopaedic Surgery in Flagstaff for 26 years, with a special interest in baseball injuries and throwing disorders. He was a co-founder of Flagstaff Bone and Joint. He was also co-founder of Fitkids of Arizona, an obesity prevention and treatment program for children, and continues to serve on its Advisory Board. Since retirement from active practice he teaches voluntarily both in the community and at Northern Arizona University.
Bert has twice served as Chairman of the Board of Northern Arizona Healthcare. He has also served on the Boards of Directors of Flagstaff Medical Center, United Way of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff Little League, Norther Arizona Volunteer Medical Team, and the Coconino County Victims Compensation Board. He has served as President of the Medical Staff at FMC, the Flagstaff Independent Physicians Association, the Physicians and Surgeons Office Building Partnership, and the Coyote Springs Homeowners Group. Other voluntary efforts have included coaching at three different levels of youth baseball and volunteer Surgery in five foreign countries.
Bert is an avid fisherman, an habitual swimmer, an occasional sailor, a marginal but eager cook, and an impassioned reader. Bert and his wife Karen travel extensively and have five grown children and four grandchildren.