Robert S. Reese Sr.

Robert Stanley Reese Sr. of Brush Mountain Road, Hollidaysburg died peacefully surrounded by family on January 17, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born on May 30th, 1926, to Stanley G. and Caroline Servis Reese. He was raised in Ebensburg, PA.

He served in the United States Army Air Force as a tail-gunner in a B-29 bomber at the end of World War II. Upon returning home, he enrolled at The Pennsylvania State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While at Penn State, he joined Delta Upsilon fraternity and took up golf, which remained one of the loves of his life.

Upon graduation, he married JoAnn Vivian Kinzer of Hollidaysburg. He went on to become an Industrial Arts teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School in Altoona. He became Altoona’s first golf coach and was well respected as both a coach and teacher.

While a full-time teacher, he attended night school to become a master-machinist and gunsmith. He built his own home, where he and JoAnn raised their four children, and he resided until his passing.

After 37 years of teaching, he retired. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golf and socializing with his many friends. He had a great sense of humor, laughed easily, worked hard to support his family, and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Bob will be greatly missed by his children: Terri Reese Ulaner (Patrick Bacelli) of Easton, PA; Cara Lynn Reese Black of State College; Robert Jr. (Susan Baker) of Frankstown; and Shane (Kelly) of Hollidaysburg.  Bob will also be greatly missed by his five grandchildren: Jennifer Sral; Adam Black; Max Ulaner; Lilly Neaffer; AJ Reese; and his seven great grandchildren: Chloe and Hiram Neaffer; Stone Sral; Haylee, Brie, and Dominic Reese, Solly Ulaner; and his beloved cat, Peggy Sue and therapy dog, Archie.

Bob was preceded in death by his infant daughter Lee Ann, his brother Bill, and his sister Jean Bartoletti. Bob leaves behind a sister, Eleanor Benko of Ebensburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Blair County Humane Society.

Friends will be received from 11am to 1pm Tuesday January 23, 2024, at Sorge Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Hollidaysburg, where a memorial service will immediately follow at 1pm.             

sorgefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert S. Reese Sr., please visit our floral store.