Robert L. Hettich, 81, of Towanda, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2014 at his home.
Robert was born in Sayre on Nov. 20, 1933, the son of Robert and Margaret Bevan Hettich. He was a graduate of Troy High School where he excelled academically and in basketball, football and baseball.
Robert continued his education at Lafayette College where he played football having received a football scholarship. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
Robert later served in the U.S. Navy as a medic aboard the USS Forrestal. Following completion of his military service, Robert returned home and started his own business, Hettich Roofing & Siding which he operated for 47 years in Bradford County until his retirement. He also fully remodeled a number of homes.
Robert was born in Sayre on Nov. 20, 1933, the son of Robert and Margaret Bevan Hettich. He was a graduate of Troy High School where he excelled academically and in basketball, football and baseball.
Robert continued his education at Lafayette College where he played football having received a football scholarship. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
Robert later served in the U.S. Navy as a medic aboard the USS Forrestal. Following completion of his military service, Robert returned home and started his own business, Hettich Roofing & Siding which he operated for 47 years in Bradford County until his retirement. He also fully remodeled a number of homes.
After returning home from the Navy, Robert played fast pitch softball for the Calkins-Vickery Team in Troy as the team pitcher. The team became both Pennsylvania and New York State Champions. He was also a member of the Blackhawk League Cal-Vic Basketball Team in Elmira, NY. for a number of years.
Robert was a member of the Burlington United Methodist Church and was active in community affairs. He served as a member and President of the Troy Area School Board and was a member of the Towanda Area School Board for over 25 years, and was the President of the Bradford County Education Association that designed and constructed the Bradford County Vocational-Technical Institute in North Towanda.
Robert was the honored recipient of a certificate recognizing the accomplishment of having never missed voting in an election for 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna Mattocks Hettich whom he married on July 7, 1962 in Springfield; children, Doreen Hettich-Atkins of Cortland, NY, Renee Hettich of Cortland, Darin Hettich and wife Patty of Sarver, PA, Denise Mitchell and husband Jeff of Avoca, NY; grandchildren, Tyler Hettich, Rose Hettich, Jay T. Atkins, Sarah Hettich, Pearl Hettich, Robert Atkins, Marco Hettich and Peter Hettich; sisters, Nila Rumsey of Waverly, NY., Vonda Fero of Horseheads,NY; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Ryan Hettich in 1978.
A memorial service with Rev. Anne Bey Canfield was held at Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda. Interment will be held at a later date in Mountain Lake Cemetery, Burlington Township.
The family suggests that contributions may be directed to the Ryan Hettich Memorial Award Fund, c/o Darin Hettich, 100 Meadowview Drive, Sarver, PA 16055, in Robert L. Hettich’s memory. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.
Robert was a member of the Burlington United Methodist Church and was active in community affairs. He served as a member and President of the Troy Area School Board and was a member of the Towanda Area School Board for over 25 years, and was the President of the Bradford County Education Association that designed and constructed the Bradford County Vocational-Technical Institute in North Towanda.
Robert was the honored recipient of a certificate recognizing the accomplishment of having never missed voting in an election for 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna Mattocks Hettich whom he married on July 7, 1962 in Springfield; children, Doreen Hettich-Atkins of Cortland, NY, Renee Hettich of Cortland, Darin Hettich and wife Patty of Sarver, PA, Denise Mitchell and husband Jeff of Avoca, NY; grandchildren, Tyler Hettich, Rose Hettich, Jay T. Atkins, Sarah Hettich, Pearl Hettich, Robert Atkins, Marco Hettich and Peter Hettich; sisters, Nila Rumsey of Waverly, NY., Vonda Fero of Horseheads,NY; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Ryan Hettich in 1978.
A memorial service with Rev. Anne Bey Canfield was held at Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda. Interment will be held at a later date in Mountain Lake Cemetery, Burlington Township.
The family suggests that contributions may be directed to the Ryan Hettich Memorial Award Fund, c/o Darin Hettich, 100 Meadowview Drive, Sarver, PA 16055, in Robert L. Hettich’s memory. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.
