Obituary for Robert E. Bless
Robert E. Bless, 79, of Fayetteville, PA passed away Sunday, August 14 2022 in his home. Born September 11, 1942 in Chambersburg, PA he was the son of the late Charles E. Bless, Sr. and Ruth (Foust) Bless.
He was a graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School with the Class of 1960. Following high school he was part of the Frederick Keys baseball team from 1961 until 1962. In 1962 Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed basic training and tech training in Texas. He served during the Vietnam War as a C130 flight engine mechanic in Taiwan. He was honorably discharged in 1970 after years of dedicated service.
In his earlier years Robert worked at Lincoln Lanes Bowling Center as a janitor and lane maintenance. Following his service in the Air Force he was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut as a quality inspector on jet engine parts. In 1972 he and his family moved to Fayetteville where he opened his own appliance repair shop and went back to work at Lincoln Lanes. He became a professional bowler competing from coast to coast from 1978 until 1985 and earning many achievements throughout the years. He bowled eleven sanctioned 300 games and his highest average in one year was 218. Robert then went to work at Letterkenny Army Depot as an electrical technician retiring in 2006.
Robert attended Antrim Brethren in Christ Church, Chambersburg. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, golfing, and fishing. He loved to travel both nationally and internationally making it to all 50 states except for Hawaii and visiting many different countries across the globe.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathy E. (Loskill) Bless who he married January 20, 1968; two children, Cassandra Ly and her husband Tom of Carlisle, PA and Mitchell Bless and his wife Dorothy of Freeburg, PA; four grandsons, Joshua Ly and his wife Rachel, Matthew Ly and fiancé Haleigh, Caleb and David Bless; siblings, Gary Bless of California and Janet Doyle and her husband Glenn of Shippensburg, PA; a sister-in-law Joyce Bless and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Charles “Chuck” Bless.
Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, August 19, 2022 in Antrim Brethren in Christ Church, 24 Kauffman Road East, Chambersburg, PA 17202 with Pastor Casey Hurst officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Friday morning in the church. Burial will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 19, 2022 in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg where military honors will be conducted by the honor guard of Charles Nitterhouse V.F.W. Post #1599, Chambersburg. Arrangements are by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to United Service Organizations at www.uso.org.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.
He was a graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School with the Class of 1960. Following high school he was part of the Frederick Keys baseball team from 1961 until 1962. In 1962 Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed basic training and tech training in Texas. He served during the Vietnam War as a C130 flight engine mechanic in Taiwan. He was honorably discharged in 1970 after years of dedicated service.
In his earlier years Robert worked at Lincoln Lanes Bowling Center as a janitor and lane maintenance. Following his service in the Air Force he was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut as a quality inspector on jet engine parts. In 1972 he and his family moved to Fayetteville where he opened his own appliance repair shop and went back to work at Lincoln Lanes. He became a professional bowler competing from coast to coast from 1978 until 1985 and earning many achievements throughout the years. He bowled eleven sanctioned 300 games and his highest average in one year was 218. Robert then went to work at Letterkenny Army Depot as an electrical technician retiring in 2006.
Robert attended Antrim Brethren in Christ Church, Chambersburg. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, golfing, and fishing. He loved to travel both nationally and internationally making it to all 50 states except for Hawaii and visiting many different countries across the globe.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathy E. (Loskill) Bless who he married January 20, 1968; two children, Cassandra Ly and her husband Tom of Carlisle, PA and Mitchell Bless and his wife Dorothy of Freeburg, PA; four grandsons, Joshua Ly and his wife Rachel, Matthew Ly and fiancé Haleigh, Caleb and David Bless; siblings, Gary Bless of California and Janet Doyle and her husband Glenn of Shippensburg, PA; a sister-in-law Joyce Bless and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Charles “Chuck” Bless.
Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, August 19, 2022 in Antrim Brethren in Christ Church, 24 Kauffman Road East, Chambersburg, PA 17202 with Pastor Casey Hurst officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Friday morning in the church. Burial will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 19, 2022 in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg where military honors will be conducted by the honor guard of Charles Nitterhouse V.F.W. Post #1599, Chambersburg. Arrangements are by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to United Service Organizations at www.uso.org.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.