Robert L. Engel
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Robert L. Engel

Robert L. Engel, 87, of Kittanning, PA, died Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.

He was born April 12, 1927 in Cleveland, OH, the son of Laurence T. and Gladys (Heffelfinger) Engel.

Robert enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 and served in World War II in the hospital corps as a pharmacist's mate. He later received his Bachelor's degree in 1953 at Western Reserve University in Cleveland and then earned his Master's degree in 1954 from Wayne University in Detroit, MI. In 1958, Robert received his Master's in Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh. From 1962 to 1992, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.

Through his life, Robert was very involved in Freemasonry. In 1993, he was honored for being a 50 year member and Senior DeMolay. Robert was raised a Master Mason in June of 1949 at Lake Erie Lodge #662 in Cleveland and was admitted membership in May of 1990 to Armstrong Lodge #239 F&AM in Freeport. He served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania in 1993 and 1994, and on October 3, 1995, Robert was honored as a 33rd degree Mason of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.

Robert was very involved in the Kittanning community and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. From 1965-1970, he was a member of the Middle Armstrong County Area Development Organization and served from 1965-1972 as the Vice-Chairman for the United Way of Armstrong County, also holding the position of Chairman of the Allocations Committee. In Kittanning Borough, Robert was a councilman for the third ward from 1968 to 1972 and was the chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board for a number of years, beginning in 2000. He was a member of the Armstrong County Hospital Authority, starting in 2004, and was a member of the Advisory Committee for Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services, beginning in 2001. Robert also served as the President of the Kittanning Cemetery Board of Corporators.

In his free time, Robert enjoyed reading biographies and watching the stock market. He also found great pleasure working in his yard and especially liked growing roses. Robert had a special bond with his beautiful Border Terrier dog, Bindi, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His memory will be cherished by his sons, Richard A. Engel and wife, Cathy Sue, of St. Charles, MO, and Ronald C. Engel and wife, Colleen, of Westerville, OH; daughters, Catherine L. Engel and Ellen S. Engel, both of Kittanning; and grandchildren, Traci and Benjamin Engel, of Westerville, OH, and Sean Engel, of St. Charles, MO.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, V. Deryl (Stowe) Engel, whom he married on August 6, 1949 and who died January 31, 2010.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 N McKean Street, Kittanning, PA, where a Masonic service will take place at 7 PM.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 15, 2014 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 112 N. Water St., Kittanning, PA, with the Rev. Dr. William J. Pugliese officiating.

Burial will be at Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA, where military honors will be presented by the American Legion Honor Guard.

Contributions may be given in Robert's honor to Orphans of the Storm, PO Box 838, Kittanning, PA 16201, the Richard G. Laube Cancer Center, One Nolte Dr., Kittanning, PA 16201, the Armstrong County Community Foundation, 160 N. McKean St., Suite 2, Kittanning, PA 16201, or Kittanning Cemetery, 200 North Water St., Kittanning, PA 16201.


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Robert L. Engel