Robert S. Asby

Robert S. Asby, 87, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp., surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Baltimore, Md., he was the son of the late Robert Anton Asby and Ann Sumner Asby.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his youngest son, Scott Siegel Asby.

Robert is survived by a son, Steven and wife, Mimi, Deltona, Fla.; daughter, Cindy Thomas and her husband, Lew, Dallas; sister, Joy Gottshall and husband, Don, Goldsboro, N.C.; and his beloved Anne; grandchildren, Brooke, Stephen and April Asby, Shannon (Thomas) Collette and Benjamin Thomas; great-grandchildren, Connor and Gavin Collette and Lincoln and Colton Thomas; and nieces.

Robert was a speech pathologist and audiologist by profession and acquired an extensive list of accomplishments and accolades throughout the 59 years of his patient care and professional career. The list is far from exhaustive but represents examples of his professional involvement:

He designed and built the first hearing and conservation mobile testing unit for on-site industrial employees to detect and prevent hearing loss.He and his associates originally established the ENT Surgical Group.He was one of the first audiologists in the state of Pennsylvania to be licensed to fit and dispense hearing aids.He was a founding member of the Academy of Audiology and was deeply involved in several licensure committees.He was an associate professor for the Department of Communication Disorders at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg.He served on the board of directors for both the International Association of Laryngectomees and the Society of Medical Audiology.He served on the Speech Standards Committee, International Association of Laryngectomees - American Cancer Society.

Robert held memberships in several key organizations, such as the American Speech and Hearing Association, the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association, the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists.

Bob was an avid sports enthusiast and lived for the thrill of boating, skiing, football, biking and golfing to name a few. If not participating personally, he was enjoying sports on television. He made friends easily and over his lifetime the list of his close friends and associates became countless.

Bob seemed to have a 30-hour day and managed to always have time for people's needs. In his aging and reflective years, the love for his family continued to flourish.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown, with the Rev. Dwight Hodne officiating. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to service time.

Flowers are welcome, but please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in his honor.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Emergency Room and the Intensive Care Unit for their excellent and compassionate care.