Robert J. Sinkovits

Robert J. Sinkovits, 84, of Whitehall, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, on February 20, 2026. Born in Coplay on March 25, 1941, he was the son of Frank Sr. and Mary (Gabriel) Sinkovits. He was married to Ann (Scheffler) Sinkovits for 63 years.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Whitehall. Shortly after finishing school, he went on to work for what was then known as Western Electric, where he earned the nickname “Moose”, and where he enjoyed a rewarding career as a layout operator, retiring after 42 years from what later became Agere Systems.

Bob loved traveling with his wife and son’s family to destinations such as the Canadian Rockies, Italy, Ireland, and Hawaii, embarking on numerous cruises, making many road trips across the USA, and spending quality time at his son’s home in La Jolla, California.

He was passionate about golf, a game he took up almost by accident 50 years ago when a friend at work needed someone to fill in for his partner. He excelled at the game, achieving a low handicap and making a hole-in-one along the way. More impressively, he managed to “shoot his age” (stroke count less than or equal to age), a feat only accomplished by a tiny percentage of players over their lifetime. Bob was also an excellent gardener, planting stunning flowers each spring and meticulously maintaining his hedges. He established an uneasy truce with the rabbits who liked to feast on his creations, on several occasions catching them with his bare hands and then gently releasing them, but only after delivering a stern lecture.

Most of all Bob loved and adored his family, especially his wife Ann. Their first meeting was inauspicious – she pushed him into a bush when he tried to kiss her after a wedding reception. Fortunately, they got past that bumpy start and went on to a happy marriage spanning 63 years. His love of family extended to his son and granddaughter, and he enjoyed bragging about them to anyone who would listen. He will be forever remembered by his family and friends for his, kind, giving, and quiet nature.

Bob is survived by his wife Ann; son Robert and his wife, Lali Reddy, of La Jolla; granddaughter Melissa and her husband, Joshua Ruggiero, of San Diego; sister-in-law Carol Scheffler, of Nazareth; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Bob grew up in Coplay with brothers Frank, Joseph, John, and William and sisters Mary (Molchany), Theresa (Koren), and Anna (Spaits), all of whom predeceased him.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Joseph J. Kweder on Monday March 2, 2026 at 10:00 am in Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church 618 Fullerton Ave. Whitehall, PA 18052, where his family will receive guests beginning at 9:00 am.

Interment will follow in Saint Peter Catholic Cemetery Whitehall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s honor may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org

The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall
is honored to handle his arrangements