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Robert Doney Obituary
Robert E. Doney, 89, of Pen Argyl, passed away on Monday, May 7. Born January 17, 1923, he was the son of the late Arthur and Catherine (Thomas) Doney. Robert and his wife, Bette Allen Doney, celebrated 62 years of marriage and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Pen Argyl. He was a 1940 graduate of Pen Argyl High School. He studied at Pratt Institute, and then enlisted in the U.S. Marines, serving as a gunner aboard the USS Montpelier in the Pacific. Following the war, he graduated from Kutztown University and earned a masters degree at Columbia. He taught at Lehigh University, Northampton Community College, and in the Pennsylvania Public Schools for 27 years. The awards he received include The American Watercolor Society, The Allentown Art Museum, Watercolor USA, and The Rehoboth Art League. He painted landscapes wherever he traveled, sketching from the street corners of Prague, Venice, Paris, London, NYC, to the rural farms in PA, the coastline of New England, and the beaches of Rehoboth. Survivors: In addition to his wife; Robert is survived by Alison Jones, and her husband, Michael, Eric Doney, and his wife, Vicki, Leslie Carrescia, and her husband, Dan, William Doney, and his wife, Katarina, all of Pen Argyl, Kristin Doney, of New York City; and his grandchildren, Allen, Lauren, Ben, Reid, Molly, Liam, and Lucas. He was predeceased by his sister, Marilyn Stofflet. Services: Calling hours will only be Friday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Guerro & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 126 E. Penna. Ave., Pen Argyl, PA. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, May 12, at Grace United Methodist Church, 404 E. Mountain Ave., Pen Argyl, PA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Doney
James Sittig
May 3, 2021
Robert was one of the special people you don't easily forget, his gentleness, sincerity, his Truth to the Arts, was an Inspiration .
Ericka DeLong
May 3, 2020
Mr. Doney was a great inspiration to me as I continued my art education. He was more than an art educator to me. He was a artist that lived to paint and share his love of people, places and nature. He would come to my art gallery in Easton on occasion when he was painting center square. Bob also allowed me to borrow some of his treasured priceless Venice sketchbooks to show my high school art students. He was and is an Icon. I am blessed to have known him.
Lee Mills
May 4, 2019
I will always miss Bob; he ways so genial, accessible and engaged. I pass his old home in Rehoboth regularly , though it has now fallen to the "replace/rebuild" of so many old homes here. Relaxed in his art and confident in his voice, he spoke so well for himself and his world. Bless him.
May 28, 2012
It was an honor to teach at NCC with such a talented professor/artist as Bob. One of his paintings of a barn in our neighborhood has hung proudly in our home for over 30 years and I cherish a caricature he drew of me many years ago. He will be sorely missed, but his art is a constant memory of a dedicated, caring man. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Pam Tabery
Gail McMakin
May 25, 2012
Bette and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I'll always remember Bob as he sat painting the early morning scene on Rehoboth's boardwalk or as he sketched Eric performing at the Deerhead with Bette at his side. It was clear he loved his family dearly. He'll be missed...and remembered.
Lee Wayne Mills
May 19, 2012
Word has just reached some of us in Rehoboth Beach of Bob's passing. What a great loss for all. He has been greatly missed here in Rehoboth - his summer home - and where he was a fixture in our annual Outdoor Show - and every year I have tipped my hat to his traditional position just outside the Corkran and Tubbs Galleries. Now that he is really gone, we will have to do something befitting his position. What a genial and delightful man - full of great stories and insights - and most of all - the power to paint and draw! God Bless!
Susan Mertz
May 19, 2012
Mr. Doney was my art teacher in high schoolHe always encouraged me to express myself all the times I was a student. He did a beautiful portrait of my sister and myself. I will always treasure them. What a memorable person. Thany You Mr. Doney
May 17, 2012
Dear Bette and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences. Bob's contributions to his family, his community, and the art world were extraordinary. It was a privilege to have known him.
Sincerely,
Ann Edwards Blake (Taos, New Mexico)
Donna Whitley
May 17, 2012
To the Doney Family-Please aceept my deepest sympathy in the loss of Robert (Bob). He was my art teacher at Pen Argyl High School and our class, The Class of l960-dedicated our yearbook to him. We loved him and will miss him. He attended many of our class reunions.
Donna(Houser) Whitley
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Art Edwards
May 15, 2012
I'm sitting at my desk,looking at a sketch Bob did at the Deer Head Inn of John Coates, Jr., on a page out of the New Yorker. I am so sorry to hear that Bob passed away. He had such a generous spirit. I fell very lucky to have known him.
Marie Kramer
May 15, 2012
My condolences to the Doney family on the loss of Bob. I have a beautiful painting of Bucks County? Farmhouse done by Bob that I purchased at Kutztown Folk Festival many years ago. Since we have lived in Florida these past two years, this painting reminds me of my Pennsylvania home. Something drew me today to look up the artist and I was saddened to read this news. My best wishes to the Doney family and thank you Bob!
May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
Sheilah Rechtschaffer
May 14, 2012
To the Doney Family.
Jim and Ange sent us this. We are saddened by the loss of your Dad and we will always remember his sweetness when we visited Bangor each Christmas. And of course his remarkable and beautiful paintings. Love to your entire family. Sheilah and Bert Rechtschaffer
Ryan Tiernan
May 14, 2012
Doney Family,
It goes without saying that I was very sad and sorry to hear about your tremendous loss. My only memories of Mr. Doney are those from my childhood, either at my parents' Christmas party each year, or seeing him in his car port as I walked by. My father still decorates his walls with those classic Jim Tiernan caricatures Mr. Doney painted; my favorite of those being, "Joggin' Jabberin' Jim Tiernan." As a fellow military man, I can't thank Mr. Doney enough for his service to his country during WWII. From the south Pacific, to the landscapes of Europe, and back to Pen Argyl again, it is obvious to me that Mr. Doney led a full and wonderful life exactly how he wanted to. May this next journey be just as fulfilling.
My deepest respect,
Ryan Tiernan
Al Glatfelter
May 14, 2012
I am thankful for the opportunity I had to see Mr. Doney again at a somewhat recent visit to Pen Argyl. I will cherish even more his paintings and the memory of the kind soul that created them. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family and all his friends.
tony&judi sapone
May 13, 2012
whole doney family, tony and i were very saddened to here of mr. doney's passing. i will always remember him as a great teacher and a wonderful story teller. on his walks past my house i always enjoyed the stories he would tell my husband and i about his days in the service. those stories are so very rare to hear any more. will be thinking and praying for the whole family as u learn to adjust without your dad's bodyly person here not amoung us any longer. may his sould rest in peace. tony and judi sapone
J.H.
May 12, 2012
REST IN PEACE, MR. DONEY.
May 11, 2012
Thoughts & prayers go out to Bette, & the entire Doney family at this time of sorrow. May you find comfort in all your wonderful memories, in family, friends, & in our Lord who Bob always honored and served.
Bob's memory and spirit will live on through his talented children & thru the community in his wonderful work. I always loved to see the magnificent paintings that he had always done for the church during the Christmas & Easter season.
Our loss is Heaven's gain. Please take comfort in knowing that Bob is now painting a portrait more beautiful than we can only imagine. God Bless you all.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Scott, Jill, & Matthew Frawley
Ericka DeLong
May 11, 2012
I met Mr. Doney when I was 10 years old at the Kutztown Folk Festival. My parents had Mr. Doney draw a picture of me which my Mother still hangs proudly in their living room today. When I was a senior at Pen Argyl High School in 1975 he arrived at my art class to critique my work. Since I had no portfolio it was up to this well know artist to judge my artwork for entrance into the Commercial Art Program at Northampton Community College. I was in awe of this man that I had seen on “What's My Line”, grew up admiring his paintings depicting everything from local seines to paintings of Venice. He was my mentor, and proudly became my friend.
He made an imprint on my life that I am forever grateful. No words can express how he enriched my life. With his artistic guidance I received my commercial art degree and my art education degree. I can only hope that in my 25 years of teaching in Phillipsburg and Bangor School District I inspire one person as much as he inspired the lives of everyone he met. I am truly privileged to call Bob a friend.
My deepest sympathy to all his family,
God Bless,
Ericka Smith DeLong
May 11, 2012
I am so happy to have known this man. He inspired me to express myself in art. I am also so sad to have lost this good man. My condolences to the entire family. He will be doing Gods art work now.
A former student at PAHS
May 10, 2012
We wish to extend Our sympathy to the Doney family on Bob's recent passing. He was a great teacher and inspiration to many, including my father, who took art lessions from Bob. My favorite painting is the Labor Day parade near Weona Park. It's a classic. We have a copy hanging in our living room. He was a great artist and a great man. He loved his family and his community. He will be missed. Len and Lucille Gruppo
Diane Paulhamus
May 10, 2012
My prayers are with the Doney family in their loss. He was one of my teachers at Northampton Community College in 1975. I used to consider him a little on the strict side then, but now I realize that what he taught me made sense and I needed to apply what I learned.
I liked his plein air style of painting. The work that I remember most is the Carosel at Weona Park in Pen Aygyl as well as his other landscape paintings
jeff & diane reimer
May 10, 2012
sorry to hear of your father's passing he was very kind to my mom during her fight with diabetes they would sit and paint together, our deapest sympathies,
jeff & diane Reimer
May 10, 2012
My condolences to entire Doney Family,Bob was not only a Great Artist and a very fine man,he was very supportive to me as a young artist,with sincere advice concerning Art and Life.I'll always remember the nights at the DeerHead watching him draw and talking about art, that will always be in my memory,Thanks Bob for taking the time to speak with me.Jim Sittig,Waverly,Pa.
Mike Derea
May 10, 2012
Danny and Lesile we are so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. There are so many reminders, so many buildings in the surrounding towns, it is difficult not to think of Bob on a daily basis. You are in out thoughts and prayers. Mike and Denise
DWG COTA
May 10, 2012
Bob was an iconic pillar of the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts. His contribution to the arts community will always be a part of the COTA celebration. He will forever remain in our hearts. WE LOVE YOU, BOB!
The COTA Board:
Lauren Chamberlain, Bill Goodwin, Tim Helman, Rick Madigan, Karen Nickels, Christine Trembly, Allisen Trotter, Garth Woods, Jim Wyckoff, Susan Bradford, Carol Dorshimer, Jill Goodwin, Phil Woods and Rick Chamberlain
Steve & Patti, Dana, Williams
May 10, 2012
We are all saddened by the passing of a good friend. It is so difficult to put the importance of someone like Bob Doney into words. Teacher, friend, mentor; it seems he's always been there. He always lead by example. Our deepest sympathies to Bette and the family
Ann Lee
May 10, 2012
Bob Doney was a wonderful neighbor. I spent many happpy moments with his children in their backyard hanging out in a treehouse Bob constructed. Thanks for the memories. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Gwen Kaiser
May 10, 2012
my deepest sympathies to the Doney family. Will always remember talking With Bob at every jazz fesitval I worked. Every year he would remember that all my sons are career Marines and we would spend time reminiscing about his days in the Marines. May peace be with you. Gwen Kaiser, former COTA board member.
Jim Tiernan
May 10, 2012
I was saddened to learn of bob's death while vacationing in Scotlandhe was a great teacher artist and friend. I have many pleasant and comical memories of "Doney". In 1965' along with Jimmy Dietrich, we "bombed Bangor"the day before the Thanksgiving game.
During my first years of teaching I spent many hours in his classroom. I still have the footrest he made for me to assist in his classical guitar lessons. He was a great, welcoming influence on me and many of the young people of The
School. Pen Argyl was very fortunate to have had Bob Doney in its midst for all of these years. With great affection and sympathies for all of the Doney Clan. Jim Tiernsn
Patricia Rice
May 9, 2012
I was saddened to read of the recent passing of Mr. Doney. He was a friend and fellow artist of my dad, Don Johnson. I believe they grew up in Pen Argyl and went to high school together. I have a very fond memory of spending time with your family at an art exhibit in Mystic, CT many years ago and of Mrs. Doney teaching me to swim. I ran into "Bob" a few years back and spoke to him again after many years. He was a wonderful artist and I admired his work greatly. Hope to come across some of his beautiful paintings some day in the future. Deepest sympathy to your family on your loss. Patricia Johnson Rice Nazareth, PA
Judy Young-York
May 9, 2012
Bob was a great artist, a demanding teacher, and an inspiration to all the students he mentored. His teachings were lost on me... I could never draw, but I remember that he mentored my first husband, David Davis, who he thought had talent. Unfortunately, life happened and David never really pursued his art talent. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. My condolences to the family; albeit, he did live a full, productive and joyous life! God bless.
Brian Ajhar
May 9, 2012
My heart felt sympathy to the Doney family.
Bob "Mr Doney" was a great friend and mentor to me when I was a young art student. He had a major impact on me as he guided my early years on the art career path. I have always thought about him and his encouraging wisdom...and will continue to reflect for the rest of my life. Rest in peace my friend...it was an honor to have you in my life.............
Bruce Samson
May 9, 2012
Bob was a wonderful artist and great teacher. I had the pleasure of having him as my high school,and college teacher. His paintings reflected his perspective on the scenes he brushed to life.
Ray, Deb, and Vanna Ellis-McHenry
May 9, 2012
Heaven has gained an angel and we have lost too much to even describe. Bob was an outstanding artist, a wonderful father and husband, a most precious friend and a gift to all of us. Our sympathies are with Bette and their wonderful family. A family that shares more love than any of us could ever imagine. We miss you Bob. We will treasure your paintings and our Rehoboth memories with your heartwarming presence. that we will continue to feel always, We love you all!
May 9, 2012
To The Doney Family,
Our deepest sympathy upon the passing of your husband, father and Grandfather. Bob will forever be remembered for his tremendous gift of his many paintings we have enjoyed in our home through the years but most of all we remember a man who was blessed in every aspect of life beginning with his family who have inherited his many god given talents. May he have everlasting peace- Sincerely , Michael & Karin Curcio & family
May 9, 2012
To Lauren, Evan and family,
My condolences to you and your family. You will be in all of my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
....Annette Guardabascio, NYC
May 9, 2012
Sally & Bob Dorough extend heartfelt condolences to the Doney family. We shall feel the lack of his presence in our midst.
Kim Lupachino
May 9, 2012
Dear Doney Family, Walter and I send our deepest sympathy . We are truly sad to hear of Bob's passing. He was a great teacher and an outstanding artist. May the Peace of the Lord be with you during these difficult days.
Kim and Walt Lupachino
May 9, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to the Doney family. Bob was a wonderful man, and is already greatly missed.
Doug & Mary Serfass
Bethlehem, PA
His memory will always be chrished.
Biggest Fan
May 9, 2012
If there ever was an artist whose brush strokes left a mark
His work not only graces wall spaces, they are like sunbeams in the dark
Art was his life as much as his life was an art
Whatever he did you knew was fueled by his heart
If there ever was a man whose spirit was as pure as it was free
It's that extraordinary man whom we love dearly, the one and only Bob Doney.
May 9, 2012
Dear Leslie,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Christ
Claudia Hess
May 9, 2012
Eric and the family,
I am sooo sorry for your loss. He was a great man, he will sadly be missed.
Claudia (Welser) Hess
Bill Ronalds
May 9, 2012
It's difficult to convey my eternal gratitude for Bob's mentoring and support for me as a young aspiring artist. I am greatly saddened to hear of his passing. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Bette and all the kids and grandkids. Bill Ronalds, Rockland, ME
May 9, 2012
To The Doney Family
My deepest sympathy for the loss of such a wonderful person. I'll never forget our talks over his cup of oatmeal at the cafe. He was truly a great person and will be greatly missed
Lora Gower
Colette Fisher, Principal
May 9, 2012
Deepest sympathy and prayers to all the Doney family members from the Holy Family teachers and staff. Your loved one was a wonderful example who set the bar high for all to follow. Peace to all.
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