print this page

Robert J. "Chief" Hulings, Sr.

Robert J. "Chief" Hulings, Sr., 66, of Kittanning, PA, died Friday, August 23, 2013 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

He was born September 19, 1946 in Elizabeth Twp., Allegheny Co., PA, the son of Ralph L. and Mabel J. (Wilkie) Hulings, Sr.

Chief was raised in Manorville and graduated from Ford City High School in 1965. He graduated from the Municipal Police Training program at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, PA and then received his Associates degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Chief served as a police officer in Kittanning for five years beginning in 1970 and was then appointed police chief, a position he held for 25 years until his retirement in March of 2000.

Chief's commitment to the Kittanning area was not evidenced solely by his service with the police, but also by the many organizations he helped with. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America when he was young and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Chief was happy with his accomplishment but was even more proud to serve as a mentor to young Eagle Scouts throughout the recent years. He was a member of Kittanning Hose Company #4 for 44 years, was on the advisory board for Armstrong County's Big Brother Big Sister program, served on the Kittanning Borough Council for two years and was President of the Board of Directors for the Armstrong County Federal Employees Federal Credit Union. He also was a trustee for the Elks for many years, was a member of Indiana Blue Masonic Lodge #313 and was a 32nd degree mason at the Coudersport Consistory. Chief belonged to a number of profession organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, International Police Chiefs Association, Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association, Western Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association and Armstrong County Police Association.

In his younger years Chief enjoyed hunting, and ever since he was a teen he loved boating on the Allegheny River. Classic cars were another one of his interests and in his youth he used to drag race. Chief and his wife, Mary Lou, loved traveling with their group of close friends and they all have fond memories of the several places they visited. Despite Chief's many interests, family always came first. His four grandchildren held a special place in his heart and not a day went by that he did not speak with them. He was especially fond of his granddogs, Bently and Inko. Chief's dedication to Kittanning will be remembered by many and his family and friends will cherish the happy times they shared together.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Lou (Shuster) Hulings, whom he married December 29, 1965; son, Robert J. Hulings, Jr. and wife, Jane, of Kittanning; daughter, Mary Ann Lundgren and husband, Greg, of Kittanning; grandchildren, Eric R. Hulings, Elise M. Hulings, Austin G. Lundgren and Bret M. Lundgren; brothers, Ralph L. Hulings, Jr. and wife, Phoebe, and William J. Hulings and wife, Cindy, all of Sebastian, FL; sisters, Rouena M. Anderson, of Butler, PA, Elizabeth "Libby" J. Shumaker and husband, Robert, of Manorville, and Martha M. Haffey and husband, Brian, of Clinton, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

Chief was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends will be received from 1-4 and 6-9 PM on Monday, August 26, 2013, at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning, where a Kittanning Elks memorial service will be held at 7 PM, followed by a Hose Company No. 4 memorial service and a Fraternal Order of Police memorial service will be held at 8 PM.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at the funeral home, with Pastor Fred Neal, Sr. officiating.

Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Rd., Second Floor,
Princeton, NJ 08540.

print this page