Robert L. Weise

Robert (Bob) Weise, 95, longtime Prosperity area resident, died August 3, 2017 at Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Bob was dedicated to his family, his work and his community and was widely respected and loved for his kindness, fairness and integrity. He was born November 21, 1921 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, the son of Louis and Alice Weise. He grew up in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania and graduated from Bridgeville High School. He was a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh sports franchises throughout his life, no matter where he lived, and had an avid interest in history and environmental conservation. In his early teenage years, during the Great Depression, his father passed away and Bob worked a number of jobs to help support his family, while studying and playing high school football. He enrolled in the Carnegie Institute of Technology in its engineering program and was an important member of the Institute’s football team during his senior year when they won the state championship. He also participated in ROTC during college. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII, playing a role in the preparations for D-Day in Great Britain and then serving in France. He was honorably discharged after the War as a 2nd Lieutenant. Upon his return to the U.S., he began his civilian career as a Chemical Engineer for the General Electric Lamp Division. His career as an engineer with General Electric spanned over 30 years until his retirement from the Bridgeville Glass Plant in 1987. He met Barbara Bricker at one of his first positions with General Electric after the War, where she was working as Plant Nurse. They were married on April 14, 1951. They spent over 55 years together, devoted to each other, their four children and nine grandchildren, until Barbara passed away in 2006. Some of their happiest years began in 1971, when the family moved to a farm outside of Prosperity with an apple orchard. Over the years that followed, Bob and Barbara were known in Prosperity and surrounding communities for their small apple business featuring heritage varieties, their participation in their local church, and their bonds with their neighbors. During these years, Bob and Barbara were members of Concord Presbyterian Church, where Bob served as an elder. Bob is survived by a sister Mary Weise; children Charlotte Weise, Janet (Barry) Hood, Stephen (Sandie) Weise, and Martha (Fernando) Weise Peredo; grandchildren Zeb (Leah) Hood, Lee Hood, Caleb (Kate) Hood, Matthew (Meghan) Hood, Jason Weise, Nicole (Nate) Brown, Chelsea Weise, Xavier Peredo, and Alicia Peredo; and 11 great-grandchildren. Also deceased is a brother Charles Weise. Friends will be received Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. at William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Ave, Washington. Services will be held Monday, August 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Old Concord Presbyterian Church, 155 Old Concord Rd, Prosperity. Burial will follow at Prosperity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Concord Presbyterian Church (155 Old Concord Rd, Prosperity, PA 15329), Bridgeville Area Historical Society (441 Station St, Bridgeville, PA 15017) or the Sierra Club.