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Robert "Bobby" G. McKivison, 86, of Howard, passed away in his home on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Born on Nov. 21, 1937 in Georges Valley, Pa., he was the son of the late James and Olive (Ellenberger) McKivison. On Feb. 14, 1964, he married his loving wife Jane Emily Boone, who preceded him in death on Feb. 2, 2020.
Bobby was a 1955 graduate of Lock Haven High School.
In his younger years, he was a great baseball player with the ability to play any position on the diamond and was even a switch hitter. That passion led him to be a lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates fan and he would often take trips with his wife to Pittsburgh to watch them play. Bobby and Jane would go on to travel all across the country visiting almost every state, including Alaska as well as visiting several different countries.
Bobby was an accomplished man who loved adventure and the outdoors. Early on in life he was an avid trapper and trapped the first coyote-dog hybrid in the state of Pennsylvania. He had the hybrid mounted and donated it to the PA Game Commission where they took the mount all over to display the rare catch, educating the public of the species' existence. Bobby also found joy in hunting. For 28 consecutive years, Bobby traveled out west to Colorado and Wyoming hunting Elk and Mule deer. He even took a trip to Canada in search of harvesting a Caribou. He was a lifelong member, and last surviving original charter member of the Spike Buck Camp in Beech Creek.
Bobby loved the outdoors beyond hunting. Immersing himself in the outdoors was a part of who he was. In 2007, after a 12 year long journey of section hikes, Bobby and one of his friends completed the 2,175 mile trek on the Appalachian Trail. At the time less than 10,000 people in the world had ever completed the rugged journey.
For 26 years, Bobby worked at the Hammer Mill Paper Company and for 12 of those years he was the president of the Union. After his departure from the paper company, he bought Bitner's Bar renaming it "Bobby's Place" in 1987. After selling the bar in 1992, he went on to assist with his brother's roofing company working on many houses in Beech Creek and the surrounding area. Bobby was a well liked, respected and leader of the community and even served as the Beech Creek Township Supervisor for several years. He was one of the original members and even helped build the Beech Creek American Legion Post 623, a member of the forty and Eight as well as the NRA.
Bobby also proudly served his country in the United States Army. While in the military he obtained his teletype certification and graduated from the Seventh Army Noncommissioned Officer's Academy Class number 60-22 and obtained the rank of Sergeant before being Honorably Discharged.
He is survived by his daughter Deborah Lesser; two grandsons, Colby Bechdel (Beverly) of Beech Creek and Cody Bechdel (Cassandra) of State College; and two great grandchildren, Ben and Erika Bower. Also surviving are one sister, Veda Beaver; two brothers, Harold and Benny McKivison and a special nephew, Gary McKivison.
In addition to his wife and parents, Bobby was preceded in death by 10 brothers, Blaine, James, Albert "Buck," Dallas, Raymond "Molly," Connie, Claire, Ray, Johnny and Russell. As well as two sisters, Jona Pearl McKivison and Mary DeWitt.
Family and friends will be invited for a time of visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 and from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Singer Kader Neff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 135 W Main St. Howard, PA. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 11 a.m. with pastor Dan Longmore officiating. Interment will take place at Brethren in Christ Cemetery in Marsh Creek.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobby's name may be made to the Brethren in Christ Marsh Creek Church in Howard, PA.