H. Robert Bickerstaff, “Chaplain Bob,” ascended to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 15, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born August 21, 1938 in Jeanette, PA, to Harry and Hazel Bickerstaff, he married Sally Sexton February 2, 1963 in Cochranton, PA.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sally, three children, Jana Bickerstaff of Brookville, Gary (Jody) Bickerstaff of Dubois and their children Luke, Mark, Andrew, and Magi, and Rene’ (Jud) James of Manchester, GA and their children Hillary (Justin) Bolin of Columbus, GA, Harrison and Charlie James of Manchester, GA; his sister Carol Moore, and nieces Marci (Rene) Malliard of Cochranton, PA, and Missy (Steve) Bernarding of Guys Mills, PA; Aunts Doris Rose of Meadville, PA, and Betty Kemerer of Dade City, FL; Brother-in-law Leroy (Shirley) Sexton and nieces Lori (Tony) Sexton of Raleigh, NC, and Brenda (Ray) Elliot of Meadville, PA. Bob will be missed by numerous cousins, great nephews and “adopted daughter”, Dana Helmheckel.
Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Youth Leader, Council Member, and Lay Speaker. He served the Brookville community as a member and leader of Cub Scouts, Little League Association, Rebecca M. Arthur’s Memorial Library Board, Brookville Hospital Ethics Committee, Brookville Borough Council, BASD Scholarship Committee, Brookville Ambulance Board, Ministerial Association and associated Helping Hands Fund, and the Jefferson County Jail through The Praise Time Ministry.
Bob graduated from Cochranton High School and represented the Meadville Community as a Youth Ambassador to Sweden for three months. He graduated from Penn State University with Masters Degrees in Education and Guidance. He taught at Brookville and Clarion-Limestone School Districts; was Guidance Counselor and Adult Education Director at Jeff Tech and Director of Clarion County Vo-Tech. He retired in 1993.
He retired from his service as Chaplain Bob of the I-80 Trucker-Traveler Ministry in August, 2014. He served as a Lay Speaker in numerous churches in Jefferson, Clarion, and Clearfield counties. His greatest loves were his Lord Jesus and spreading God’s word, his beloved family and dear friends and neighbors. The family is indebted to the doctors and nurses at Brookville and Penn Highlands (DRMC) Hospitals, Hahne Cancer Center, Brookville-New Bethlehem Home Health, Penn Highlands (DRMC) Hospice, and all those who cared for him during his long illness.
The family will receive friends at the McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St. Brookville, Pa. on Friday, September 19, 2014 from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Brookville, Pa. at 11AM with the Rev. William Saxman and the Rev. Roger Howard officiating.
The family requests memorials be given to the I-80 Trucker-Traveler Ministry, Box 23 Brookville, Brookville-New Bethlehem Home Health, Penn Highlands (DRMC) Hospice services, or the Brookville First United Methodist Church.
