Luis Audberto ("Bert") Bondame Flores, MD, 90, of Clearville, PA passed away July 18, 2024.

Bert was born on December 13, 1933 in Manila, Philippines. His parents were Luis and Flora Flores. He had 3 brothers – Benjamin, Cesar, and Diosdado and three sisters – Zenaida, Rosita, and Xenia. Bert came from very humble beginnings. At an early age, he began working odd jobs to help support his large family. After surviving the Japanese invasion in the Philippines, experiencing the transformation of his childhood neighborhood into a concentration camp, and the death of his young sister, Xenia, he desired to obtain the skills necessary to help and make life changing differences in the health and well being of others.

As he progressed through his schooling, he was a voracious reader and developed a talent of solving advanced mathematical equations and scientific problems. He quickly excelled through academics.

Bert graduated Cum Laude from the University of Santo Tomas and went on to top the National Medical Board in the Philippines in 1957. He trained for two years at the 6208th U.S. Air Force Hospital in the Philippines. In 1958, Bert continued his surgical training in Sinai Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland, and finished his training as Resident & Chief Resident in Surgery in 1963. He served on many medical committees and worked in cancer research at Sinai.

Having extensive emergency room experience, Bert was the first president of the Baltimore County General Hospital Emergency Room Physicians.

In 1972, Bert moved to Cumberland, Maryland with his family, including his daughter, Jocelyn and son, Kevin, to begin his own surgical practice, specializing in General Surgery. Bert had surgical privileges at both Sacred Heart and Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, Maryland. He was active on several committees throughout his career at Sacred Heart and served as Chief of Staff.

Bert was always studying, training and implementing the newest surgical techniques. He was the first physician to perform laparoscopic and laser surgeries in the Cumberland area. He was an inspiration to the medical staff who worked around him and earned the admiration and respect of many. Bert was a humanitarian, contributed to countless healthcare organizations, and supported the Wounded Warrior Fund. Bert was recognized and received countless special achievement rewards throughout his career.

Following 67 years of practice, Bert retired. He spent the last years of his life enjoying the company of his sisters, only granddaughter, Phoebe, his children, and his extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He attended God's Grace Independent Church in Grantsville, Maryland. He enjoyed playing the piano, mahjong, golfing, fishing and having lunch with his close friends and colleagues.

Bert is survived by his sisters Zenaida Duran, Rosita Flores, his children, Jocelyn and Kevin Flores, and his granddaughter, Phoebe Flores.

Visitation will be Monday, July 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A. 108 Virginia Ave, Cumberland, MD.

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Barry Beal officiating.

Interment will be in Prosperity United Methodist Cemetery, Flintstone, MD.