Robert “Bob” T. Soder, 78, of Clearfield died Thursday at the Clearfield Hospital.
Born Sept. 26, 1932 in Hollsopple, he was the son of Oscar T. and Esther (Josephson) Soder.
As a boy, Mr. Soder delivered the “True Grit” and worked as a sheep catcher and timber jack. He graduated in 1950 from the Cooper Township High School, where he was a quarterback, baseball pitcher and class historian.
After high school, he worked on the assembly line for Packard Motors in Michigan.
He then enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a Morris Code Radio Operator in the Korean War. But when he returned home, he met and wed Margaret M. (Turnbull) Soder of Houtzdale on Nov. 8, 1957.
Mr. Soder graduated from the Altoona School of Commerce in 1958 with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration.
In the 1950’s, he was also smooth on his feet and danced to all the Big Bands – Jimmy Dorsey, Louie Prema, Johnny Long and Tex Benakee – at the Sunset Ballroom. He taught himself to dance on roller skates, and at one point, he even thought he’d become a choreographer.
Mr. Soder held many jobs after graduation, beginning as a salesman for G.M.A.C. Harpster Chevrolet. He went on to work in sales for Penelec, and later for R.D. Goss, where he also served as advertising manager and public relations director.
He also worked for WCPA radio as a sales accountant; later, he served as a branch manager and vice president of Keystone National Bank of Clearfield. In 1999, he retired as credit manager for D.C. Guelich Explosives, where he had worked for more than 20 years. After retirement, he became a people greeter at Wal-Mart in Clearfield, where he worked for over 11 years.
As a long-time resident of Clearfield, Mr. Soder’s community service was rich. He served as president of the YMCA and chairmen of the membership committee. He was a Sunday school teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church, a Boy Scout Leader and a Little League umpire. He was a founding member of the Clearfield Area High School Band Boosters and an active member of the West Side Methodist Church. He also served with the Yokefellows Prison Ministry.
He was a beloved husband and father, father-in-law and good friend to many. He was also an avid storyteller, trapper, hunter, fly fisherman and golfer. He loved the woods, music, jokes, cartoons, especially the Roadrunner, and songbirds and knew many of their calls.
As a young man, Mr. Soder felt called to the ministry but did not follow the call. Instead, he became a deeply spiritual Christian who knew the Bible well.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his two daughters, Pamela Jean Turley of Prospect and Peggy Ann Sinclair of Contoocook, NH; two son-in-laws, Michael R. Turley and David R. Sinclair; three grandchildren, Emily Sinclair, Ian Sinclair and Nathan Turley; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. Monday at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Clearfield.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the West Side Methodist Church, Clearfield, with the Rev. Kenneth Leonard officiating. Interment will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Brisbin. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield American Legion Post #6 and the VFW Post #1785 Honor Guard.
To send an on-line tribute, go to www.bennettandhouser.com.
