Bob was born on August 9, 1932 in Palisades Park, New Jersey. He graduated from St. Cecilia’s High School in Englewood, NJ, in 1950, and began working for New York Bell Telephone as a cable splicer. He served in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist from 1950 to 1953. Bob married Kathleen Frances Wynne on January 24, 1953. He resumed his career with NYBT after completion of his military service, rising to managerial positions before leaving NYBT to establish his own telecommunications manufacturers’ representative and consulting firm, Robert H. Owermohle, Inc. The firm which Bob started 42 years ago continues to prosper under the leadership of Bob’s oldest child, Robert, Jr.
Bob and his wife Kathleen moved their family from Bergen County, New Jersey, to the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania in 1971. In addition to running his own business, Bob made time for community involvement. While Bob resided in New Jersey, he was an active member of the Lion’s Club and the New Milford, NJ, Volunteer Fire Department. While residing in Pennsylvania, Bob was active in the Notre Dame High School (East Stroudsburg, PA) parent- teacher organization, and was involved in the organization’s initial creation of an annual Pocono Arts Festival that was held at the school as a fundraiser. Bob was a member of the Hemlock Farms ( PA) Volunteer Ambulance Service. From 1978 to 1981, Bob was a member of the Virginia Military Institute’s Parents Council, serving as its president in his son Kurt’s final year at VMI. Bob was also a member of the Society of Cable TV Engineers and the International Municipal Signal Association.
Bob and Kathleen maintained residences in both Stroudsburg, PA, and Manahawkin, NJ, until moving to Highland Green in Topsham, Maine, fulltime in 2006. Once in Maine, Bob never “officially” retired, providing business advice and counsel to his son up until his very last weeks.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Cunningham Owermohle, and three of his children, Kristine Frances, Peter Richard, and Elizabeth Kristine Owermohle. In addition to his wife, Kathleen Frances Owermohle, Bob is survived by his son, Robert H. Owermohle, Jr., and his wife, Lyn, and children Devin, Corin, and Madalyn Owermohle of Saylorsburg, PA; son, Lt. Col. Kurt S. Owermohle, U. S. Marine Corps (Ret.) and his wife, Elizabeth, and children Stephen, Sarah, and Gabrielle Owermohle of Dumfries, VA; and daughter, Ellen T. Purpura and her husband, Timothy, and children Andrew, Kathleen and Lindsey Purpura of Yarmouth, ME. Bob is also survived by brothers-in-law James H. Wynne of Dataw, SC; Donald Wynne of Manahawkin, NJ, and Edward Wynne of Cranberry Lakes, NJ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
To say that Bob was a dedicated family man would be an understatement. His family was his top priority, and his pride and joy, throughout his life. His pride in Kathleen and his children was only exceeded by his pride in his nine grandchildren. Bob worked hard, and in his early career, multiple jobs, in order to provide his family comfortable homes and provide his children parochial school and college educations as a foundation for their success. But more important than these gifts, was the model Bob and Kathy, during their 59-year marriage, gave us of selfless, mutual love and support.
The Owermohle family sincerely thanks the Community Health and Nursing Service (CHANS) Hospice Care team for its compassionate care and support for Bob and Kathleen.
Memorial service arrangements for Bob will be released at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to CHANS, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.
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