Robert G. “Bob” Spencer 80, a resident of Christ The King Manor Nursing Home, and formerly of Grampian passed away June 18, 2012 at the Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.
Born Jan. 30, 1932 in Grampian he was the son of Donald M. and Lula Mae (Swartzlander) Spencer. He was a 1950 graduate of Clearfield Area High School. He was a lifelong member of the Hepburnia United Methodist Church, and Served in the United States Air Force 1950-1954, Aircraft Flight and Maintenance school in Wichita, TX 1950-1951, Advanced Flight School, Champaign, IL 1951, and was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force in 1954.
He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hepburnia Coal Company, a Full Partner in Spencer Land Co. Hepburnia Coal Company was founded in 1954 with his father and his 2 brothers. Had continuous employment in Clearfield, Cambria, Jefferson, and Elk counties for the past 30 years. Employed over 150 employees. Hepburnia Coal Company mined and reclaimed thousands of acres of land in central PA and has received many awards of outstanding reclamation. Hepburnia Coal is presently working with the Pennsylvania Coal Mining Association and Ben Franklin Partnership to control acid mine drainage.
Former President of Beechwoods Flying Service, Inc. This company operated the Dubois Jefferson County Airport near Dubois. They specialize in custom air transportation services. They operate a fleet of Bell Jet Ranger helicopters and also offer a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft that can land at any of more than 11, 500 airports in the United States. They also service Canada, South America and the Caribbean. Beechwoods Flying Service employed 32 employees.
Former President of Susquehanna Recreation Corporation which operated the Former Grandview Golf Course located in Ferguson Township, Clearfield County. The Course was constructed as an environmental project on strip mine reclamation.
Former Owner of Spencer’s Oxford Farms which was a 200 acre horse farm in southern Chester County. They raised, trained, and breed standard bred horses in Pennsylvania, and the farm was a member of the United States Trotting Association.
He was a Member of Noble Lodge No. 480, Free and Accepted Masons in Curwensville, where he was a past master, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Altoona, PA, Coudersport Consistory, Clearfield Shrine Club, Jaffa Temple of Altoona, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Keystone Forest #93, and Royal Order of Jesters, Allentown Court.
Was a charter member of the Safari Club International, New England Chapter which traveled world wide hunting big game, and helped educate students in conservation through the American Wildlife Leadership School in Colorado.
Member of the NRA, formerly served on the Board of Directors for the County National Bank, and Clearfield Hospital. Was an honorary board member of Clearfield YMCA, Bucktail Council Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Penn State Nittany Lion Club, Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, Route 219 Association, Republican National Committee sustaining member since 1971, served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1980 for Ronald Reagan. Former Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Coal Mining Association, Former member of the National Mining Association, National Coal Council, Pennsylvania Society of New York, Granada Club of Area Business Men, Douglas DC-3 Historical Society, Treasurer Lake Country Club and the Clearfield-Curwensville Country Club.
Past member of Veterans of Korean War, American Legions Post #632 in Grampian, and VFW Post #845 Curwensville.
He is survived by 3 children Kim Spencer Petrie and her husband Tom of Glamis, Scottland, Robert Shane Spencer, and Shad Bell Spencer both of Curwensville. Grandchildren Kyle Spencer Morgan, Joshua Gilliland, Shianne Spencer, and Shelby Spencer. Former wife Deloris Bell Spencer of Curwensville, Brothers and sisters Darrell G. Spencer, and Gary Moore Spencer and his wife Sheila both of Hepburnia, Richard Lee Spencer, Pittsburgh, and Lois “Peachy” Straw and her husband James of State College.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ethel Danvir, and brothers Ray “Buck” Spencer, Keith Spencer, Donald Spencer Jr., and Edward Allen Spencer.
Services for Robert Spencer will be held at the Hepburnia United Methodist Church in Grampian on June 22 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Emmett Anderson, officiating. Interment will follow in the Friends Cemetery in Grampian.
Friends will be received at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc of Curwensville on June 21 from 2-8 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. when the processions will depart for the church.
Masonic Memorial Services will be conducted by members of the Noble Lodge #480 F. & A. M. Curwensville, Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Christ The King Manor Nursing Home, 1100 West Long Avenue, Dubois, PA 15801, or the DuBois Area Catholic Schools.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
