Happy 90th Birthday to Bill Malkames!

Bill with Bill Jr. after a race

Happy 90th birthday to Allentown legal legend Bill Malkames. At a time when many of us have been postmarked, RETURN TO SENDER, he’s still going strong. Just last week, he had two matters before the Allentown Zoning Board and won both.

In addition to his legal prowess, Bill was at one time the dominant racer for over 40 biathlons and even triathlon. He’d spend a full day in the office, followed by hours of training. In his 50s, he once defeated the entire team sent by West Point to compete in a biathlon.

He loves practically all sports but had to wait until he was through law school to play himself because he was super smart and was pushed through high school and college at a very young age. I often saw him at my grandson’s high school and college games. He also followed his sons and grandsons, driving as long as eight hours one way just to watch them play.

At a party in his honor, I met his (now retired) secretary of 41 years, Mary. She’s 91. She attributes her longevity and great health to growing up on a farm and constantly going up and down the steps in Bill’s office. Bill's longevity is in no doubt due to an elixir he stores in bottles marked Sangria,

Bill is very competitive but does have a weakness - Hearts. He loves to play and once traveled to Las Vegas for a Hearts tournament. But he only wins about 90% of the games he plays here.

I hope Bill lives at least another 90 years.