Ralph
W. Robertson
October 15, 2009
Ralph W. Robertson, 85, of the East Mountain section of Scranton and Lake
Sheridan died early Thursday morning in the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center where
he had been a resident for the past two years. He
was the widower of the former Frieda D. Klatt who died September 2, 2009; they
would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on October 16,
2009
He was born in Scranton, the son of the late William and Viola Heim
Robertson. He was a lifelong member of
the Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, an Ordained Elder, Deacon and Trustee.
He was active in many of the church’s organizations and events throughout
his life. He was a graduate of
Scranton Technical High School and from the Johnson School of Technology.
He also attended the Penn State University extension which was located in
Green ridge at that time. He courageously
served his country during World War II with the US Army’s Company M, 314th
Infantry Regiment, 79th Division as technician 5th grade.
He served under General George S. Patton
in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France and Central Europe and received the
Good Conduct medal and the Purple Heart.
He was an architectural draftsman by trade who worked for the Sprague and
Henwood Company and was part of the original Lehigh Valley Tunnel project.
He was employed as a heavy equipment salesman for Scranton Tractor and
Equipment Company, and was the construction superintendant for Ezra Stipp
Construction Company. He went on in
his career as a salesman at Suburban casuals and retired from the Yates Battery
Company.
He was an active lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop #16,
for 75 years, 25 of them as Scout Master, when he was honored in September 2008
by local council and Troop #16, which is sponsored by the Hickory Street
Presbyterian Church. He was an executive
board member of the North Eastern Pennsylvania Council–Boy Scouts of America,
Chairman of the local council of the National Scout Jamboree Committee and
traveled to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico as a troop leader.
He received the Silver Beaver Award, a council level distinguished
service award and the Protestant Committee, God and Service Adult Award.
Ralph was a past president of the Lake Sheridan Cottagers Association and
served on their board of directors. He
enjoyed restoring, refurbishing and caning chairs.
He enjoyed spending summers at Lake
Sheridan, outdoor activities and sports, including hunting, ice fishing, water
skiing and roller skating.
His church and family were most important to
him. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle,
cousin and friend who will be dearly missed.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center staff and volunteers.
Surviving is a son, Ralph K. Robertson and his wife Sally, Scranton;
three daughters, Virginia R. Marcks and her husband Carl, Scranton, Dorothea A.
Quatra and her husband Santo, Scranton, Elaine R. Fernandez and her husband
Kenneth, Bernville; a brother in law, Emil H. Klatt Sr., Scranton; ten
grandchildren, Amanda M. Hopkins, Kimberly M. McIntyre, Ariella E. Quatra, Leane
D. Quatra, Laura Q. Evans, Emilie J. Robertson, Jesse E. Robertson, Elyse E.
Fernandez, Blaise R. Fernandez and Janelle E. Fernandez; six grandchildren, Adin
P. Hopkins, Carolyn G. Hopkins, Thomas J. McIntyre, Joseph R. McIntyre, Nora V.
Evans and William R. Evans; nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a sister in law, Dorothy D. Klatt.
The funeral will be Monday with services at 11 a.m. in the Hickory Street
Presbyterian Church, 435 Hickory Street, by the Reverend Tom H. Collins, pastor.
Interment will follow in the Dunmore
Cemetery, Dunmore. Those attending the
Funeral services on Monday are asked to go directly to the church.
