Robert L. "Bob" Doepker

Robert L. "Bob" Doepker 89, of 232 N. Fourth St., Towanda, Pa., passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, June 24, 2011 following a brief illness. He was born in Miller City, Ohio on Sept. 13, 1921 a son of William and LaVina Seimet Doepker and was a graduate of Miller City High School. Bob was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theatre with the Fourth Marine Division. He fought in the battles of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He would never forget the American Flag raising at Mt. Suribachi. At the end of the war, he entered college graduating in 1949 from Ohio Northern with a degree in chemical engineering. He married the girl of his dreams, Marilyn Zink, on November 27, 1947. Their marriage was enriched with four daughters and a son. Bob began his career in chemical engineering with RCA and later became employed by GTE Sylvania for many years. Following his retirement in 1984, Bob and Marilyn enjoyed spending their winter months in Florida where he enjoyed playing golf well into his 80s.

Bob was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Towanda, Towanda Country Club, Towanda American Legion Post No. 42, Beirne-Webster VFW Post No. 1568, Towanda and the Penn-York Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

He will be deeply missed by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Marilyn Z. Doepker at home; his children Diane Holihan, Phd., and husband Dick Holihan, Phd., of Tallahassee, Fla., Mary Jo Wolfe and husband Robert Wolfe, Phd., of Coudersport, Pa., Bobette Ward, MD and husband Timothy Ward, MD, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Ann Klassen and husband Eric Klassen, Phd. of Tallahassee, Fla., Paul Doepker and wife Susan Doepker of Ridgeley, W.Va.; grandchildren Dane Holihan, Danna Holihan, John Marshall, Brenda Wahlers, MD, Samantha Solic, Carly Gjola, Zachary Ward, Ryan Ward, Timothy Ward, Maeve Ward, Rosemary Klassen, Mitchell Doepker, Christine Doepker and Jack Doepker; great-grandchildren Olivia, Molly, Ava, Chase, Delaney, Ella and Colin; his sister, Mary Jane Miller and husband Jerry of Miller City, Ohio; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl, and sisters, Anna Mae and Ina.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, Pa. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Third St. Towanda, Pa. Interment will follow in SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, N. Towanda, Pa., with the Penn-York Detachment of the Marine Corps League and Towanda American Legion Post No. 42 according military honors. Memorial contributions may be directed to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 106 Third St., Towanda, PA 18848 in Robert L. Doepker's memory.