Robert Legran “Bob” Boop, 82, a loving husband, father and grandfather went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015.
He was born in Laurel Park on June 6, 1933, where he grew up in the beautiful mountains of that area, as the son of the late Chester R. and Pearl B. (Bell) Boop.
He married his wife, Elizalee H. (Hummel Spizzirri) Boop, on Feb. 14, 1986 in New Millport.
Mr. Boop was a pilot and flew his own airplane. He loved flying over the mountains of Pennsylvania. He often took off from Clearfield to fly over the countryside.
He was a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and flew on search and rescue missions.
He was in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War in the Engineering Division. While in the service, he took radio logical classes in Japan and became an instructor.
Upon returning home from the U.S. Army, he moved to Clearfield and became the Clearfield County Chief Radiological Officer. He instructed the first responders and others about how to survive a nuclear attack.
Mr. Boop was a volunteer at the Emergency Operation Center and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, he became a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.
He was employed as a stone mason, carpenter, welder and combustion technician for Narco. He loved to invent little things for around the house to make things more efficient.
He was happiest when he was able to work in his shop building remote control airplanes. After he stopped flying airplanes, he flew remote controlled airplanes.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Clearfield. He worked diligently for many years for the church as trustee chairman, and he was a member of the choir.
Mr. Boop’s survivors include his wife of 29 years, Elizalee Boop, and five children, Robert C. Boop and his wife, Dotti of Plattsburgh, NY, Debra L. Russell and her husband, Steve of Noblesville, Ind., Donna L. Gallaher and her husband, Robert of Clearfield, Russella J. Bell of Mount Union and Roger F. Boop and his wife, Bonnie of West Decatur.
His survivors include four step-children, Robert J. Spizzirri and his wife, Mitzi, David M. Spizzirri and his wife, Marianne and Megan L. Renno and her husband, Vito, all of Steelton, and Tyna M. Brinser and her husband, Michael of Middletown.
Also, his other survivors include 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three sisters, Carole Olmstead of Methuen, Mass., Patricia Heilner of Harrisburg and M. Virginia Hupp of Liverpool; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Chester Boop, and infant daughter, Karen Boop.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Clearfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Capital Fund of Trinity United Methodist Church, 121 S. Second St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
Online condolences can be sent to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.
Arrangements are under the care of the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home in Clearfield.