Robert W. Long

Robert W. Long, 93, passed away on Friday, May 23rd at Providence Place, Pottsville. Bob was born on December 7, 1931, in the hard coal village of Donaldson. He was born to Charles M. and Ethel M. (Morgan) Long, both of whom were orphaned as children with his mother being raised, as an infant, by an aunt and uncle and his father going into the mines at age 15 to help support his older and younger siblings. Bob was raised primarily by his maternal grandparents, the Morgan family, during his school years.

Bob said he graduated from high school twice – Frailey 1948 (3 years) and Tremont 1949 (4 years). He graduated from Kutztown State Teachers’ College (BS) in 1954; and MA Lehigh University in 1961 (thanks to Korean GI Bill). Additional graduate courses were from Lehigh and Penn State. He holds both a teaching certificate and an Elementary Principal’s Certificate. Bob student-taught in a Berks County one-room school. After teaching 6 years, 5 in Cressona, he became Blue Mountain’s District Elementary Principal from 1962-1989, being totally responsible for 6 buildings and 1,847 students at the peak of enrollment.

Long volunteered for the military draft (1954-1956) and served as a Spec 3 with the 7th Army – Europe as Chief of Battalion Survey with 18 months in Germany with the Army of Occupation during the Korean War as well as the Cold War. He was discharged as a Spec 4. He also evaluated “firing” accuracy of various artillery units stationed in Germany. Evaluated were the latest units at that time from a 105 mm piece to the “atomic” cannon and Honest John rocket.

As a Korean War veteran, Bob spent 2 years on active duty and 6 years on combat ready reserves. His major commemorative ribbons were: US Army of Occupation – Germany, Good Conduct Medal, Cold War Certificate, Korean War Veteran Commemorative Pin, Marksman – M-1 rifle, Sharpshooter – carbine as well as some other commendations including the Korean War Medallion from former State Representative Bob Allen.

His various memberships included: Cressona Masonic Lodge 222 since 1961, Life Member of Pine Grove American Legion Association 0374, National Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association, Life Member of Cressona PTA, Past memberships in Education Associations; National, State and Local, helped form Cressona Little League, Coached Pine Grove Little League. Pennsylvania Game Commission Commendation for 1st Hunter Safety Course in Southeast District and one of the first in the state in public schools. Bob, as a youth, was a member of the Pennsylvania Forest Fire Crew. Bob worked various jobs for supplementary income including door to door milkman for Guers. His main reading material besides nonfiction was the dictionary.

While Bob had a modicum of success deer hunting, his greatest enjoyment was seeing his two sons shoot their first deer. Bob lettered in both basketball and baseball while in high school and played town baseball for 5 seasons. Long was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Friedensburg where he held various church positions.

Bob, and his deceased wife of 51 years, his high school sweetheart, - enjoyed travel camping. Together they visited most all 48 contiguous states and most provinces of Canada. In addition, Bob, when in the military, visited 10 European countries. Additionally, both Bob and Ruth Abbie were heavily involved in flea marketing in various venues. For 17 years they sold their home-made fabric goods, as well as wood working projects at Arts and Craft shows in Schuylkill and six surrounding counties.

Mr. Long was preceded in death by his dear wife Ruth Abbie (Snyder) Long – February 6, 2008. Also preceding him were an older brother, Theodore Charles Long, (infancy) and a sister, Anna Marie Kimmel in 2017.

Surviving are his heartfelt loves – David R., PhD, husband of Melissa (Shorkey), Shippensburg; Carol, wife of Brian Krammes (deceased), Pine Grove; Suzanne, wife of Robert J. Homan, Birdsboro; Christine Wennerholt, Slatington; Daniel, husband of Marina (Hutnyan), Coatesville.

He was a quite proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren: David W. Long and son David A. Long; Jennifer Long Struble and sons Logan and Greyson Struble; Aaron Long and fiancee Madeline Devanny. Joshua Krammes and partner Valerie Kreiser; Sarah Krammes Cooper and husband Brian K. Cooper and daughters Eliza and Mya Cooper. Robert J. Homan and wife Kristen and children Robert J. and Evangeline Homan; Jacob Homan and partner Shannon Kaufman. Stephen Wennerholt; Jeannette Wennerholt Mendez and son Carmine Mendez. Sophia and Elena Long.

The family of Robert expresses much gratitude to the staff and residents of Providence Place in Pottsville while he was a resident for the past 3 ½ years. Many friendships were created. Additionally, a special thank you to Advantage Hospice who supported him during his final few months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children; Attn: Shriners Children's, PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394. Memorial Contributions may also be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at 9:00 AM on Monday, June 2, at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A Masonic service will be conducted at the funeral home at 10:45 AM, followed by a memorial service conducted by Pastor James Seifert and Pastor Matthew Carpenter at 11:00 AM. Interment with military honors will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.