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Robert Suppa Obituary
Robert J. Suppa, PhD, 65, of Hellertown, PA and formerly of Warren, PA died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 peacefully in his sleep. He was born July 8, 1944 in Warren, PA. to the late John and Ann Galenis Suppa. He was a graduate of Warren High School Class of 1962 and the former Edinboro State College where he earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in education. He earned his Doctorate Degree in Special Education from the University of Kentucky. He was employed with Warren County School District for three years and retired from Allentown School District as a Special Education and Math Teacher where he was employed for 35 years. Bob enjoyed gardening, reading and walking. His family was the center of his whole life. Survivors: He is survived by his two Brothers, Jack Suppa, Victor J. and his wife, Gloria all of Warren, PA; two Sisters, Anne V. Suppa of Erie, PA., Patricia J. English of Waterford, PA; several nieces and nephews also survive. Services: Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph R.C. Church with Fr. Thomas Suppa, cousin of Bob and Pastor of St. Theresa R.C. Church, Union City, PA, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Contributions: Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the St. Joseph Church Educational Center Fund, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA., 16365 or the Hellertown Area Library Association, 409 Constitution Avenue, Hellertown, PA., 18055.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Suppa
susan
July 8, 2010
prayers for your family are being sent. it was so sad to hear that you had passed on. i will never forget the look you gave me for using my fingers to count....when i was 48years old. may you find comfort and peace where you are. you will be missed
Anne C. (Redding) Regar, Ed. S.
June 27, 2010
I recently found out about the death of Dr. Robert Suppa. Please accept my deepest sympathy, he will be greatly missed by everyone that he had the opportunity to connect with through his work as an adviser, friend, mentor and teacher. I knew Bob first when he was my adviser and teacher at Lehigh University and later I worked with him when he was a supervisor and teacher in the Allentown School District (ASD). He was a true advocate for all the students that he worked with through out his varied career in the field of education. He will be greatly missed by all.
June 13, 2010
Bob was my childhood friend, a group of us always ran around together, at that time the group was the West End Boys. He will certainly be missed by many.
John Smith
June 10, 2010
Bobby Suppa was my friend since we were 12. He was an original. Such a sensitive and compassionate soul - wrapped in a curmudgeon's armor sometimes. There will be a hole in the crowd around around the table at the Warren Legion this year. Goodnight, my brother. I'll miss you.
Moose
Don Eck
June 10, 2010
Bob was one of the most generous and caring individuals I have ever met. I considered him a close friend, first meeting him during the years he was a professor at Lehigh University. He was a fierce supporter of both teachers and students. Many times I would think things weren't going well with a student in my classroom, and Bob always had an idea that worked. As time went by, he went his direction and I went mine. I will always remember his humor, swearing, and good times that we spent together.
Jazmine Brickhouse
June 10, 2010
Dr. Suppa you will be truely missed! As my teacher in middle school you changed my life by letting me know its ok to be who you are and to always be your self. He taught me to stay in school no matter how much i hated it because it will pay off in the future. I just want to thank you dr. suppa and you will be truly missed!!! You inspired me to be who i am today ! thank you!
nina landis
June 10, 2010
To Dr. Suppa's family
i am sorry for you lost and i will remmber as a good teacher that help me out when i want to dieruff high school we will miss you very much and we will think about you all the time
Leighlynn Kenly
June 9, 2010
I can't express how much I will miss Bob. Working with him at Raub for only four years was not long enough. He taught me many things that I will never forget, and inspired me in ways that I can not describe. I will miss his laugh, his rubberbands, his Seabreeze, his wicked sense of humor and his smile. He has truly touched the world and left his mark on all of his friends, colleagues and students.
Thanks Bob, I love you!
Danell Fowler
June 9, 2010
I taught across the hall from Dr. Suppa when we taught at Dieruff High School. He loved every single student he had and he loved teaching. His wit and sense of humor made him so much fun to be around. He stood up for what he believed in and I always admired him for all of that. He touched so many lives and I am so saddened that the world has to go on without him.
June 9, 2010
June 7,2010
Bob was a great friend and colleague and supporter of school and community endeavors,thanks. We will miss you at the fall breakfast. Bob was an inspiration to his students.
Donnell Bowie, Bethlehem, Pa.
Marilyn Gerdes
June 9, 2010
Vic,Patty,Sis and Jack, I was so so sad to hear about Bob. He was good hearted and generous and one of the very closest and dearest friends I have had in my life. We started teaching the same year at Lehigh. I have terrific memories of all of our 30 year friendship including the trips with Bob to Warren and your mother's Thanksgiving feasts! Bob was a true individualist and an original thinker. He lived large but enjoyed small things. I can hear and feel his laugh and know that he is totally irreplaceable for me and everyone who knew him. It would make him happy to know that we will all be remembering him and telling stories about him for as long as we live. All my best to you and the nieces and nephews he loved so much.
Dave & Ali Finkbeiner
June 9, 2010
Dr. Suppa was a great man - so much fun to talk to and had a great sense of humor. We got to know Bob through working at the Hellertown Area Library. He was a great supporter of the Library - he donated daily newspapers and even brought the workers cupcakes and food. We will miss him dearly - please accept our sympathy.
Ellie Urban
June 9, 2010
Dr. Suppa will always be remembered as a friend, a mentor, and a great inspirational teacher. Our students would always come back to visit and thank him for teaching them the skills they needed in and out of the classroom. What they may not have realized was his generosity in supporting school events. Bob never wanted the recognition or the public thank you. As a personal friend and colleague, I thank you for your support and dedication to your students and your friends. It was hard to say goodbye 4 years ago when he retired from teaching, it is impossible to say farewell.
alicia newhard
June 8, 2010
My deepest sympathies to all of Dr.Suppa's family,
I had Dr.Suppa as my math teacher as well as my home room teacher in 8th grade at Raub Middle School. I am proud i had the privilege to be in his last homeroom before he retired.. He was an amazing teacher and never gave up on us. I'll never forget before our swim meets he would sing this song he made up for some of us .."swiming swiming in a swiming pool, when days are hot day are cold in the swiming pool. breast stroke, side stroke, fancy diving too..oh dont you wish that you could swim for raub middle school". He was a wonderful person, and an amazing teacher.I am honored to have been one of his students.Dr.Suppa was a role model too me and he will never be forgotten.
Karen Beatty
June 8, 2010
Bob Suppa was my advisor, teacher, mentor, & friend. I will always remember his excellent guidance as I worked on my doctorate at Lehigh. I appreciated his honest approach to teaching and his dedication to all of his students. May he rest in peace.
Debra Kratzer-Comer
June 8, 2010
To the family of Bob Suppa I offer my deepest condolences. I had the privilege to work with Bob at Raub Middle School in Allentown. He was a wonderful person who did speak his mind and stand up for what he believed in. He was a friend to many and will be missed by all.
Scott Glidden
June 8, 2010
To the Suppa family,
It was a fateful day 25 years ago that I met Bob. I had no idea how close we would become over the years that followed, nor how significant a role he would play in my life.
Bob, thank you for your mentorship, friendship and never ending support. Your dedication, love and compassion for those less fortunate will always be remembered and honored.
Lindsey Schray
June 8, 2010
I had the honor of working with Bob at Raub for several years. He was a champion for students and staff and wasn't afraid to stand up for what was right. He believed in pushing our kids to their fullest potential and wouldn't accept the stereotype that city kids were underachievers. I will be forever grateful for the support and help Suppa gave me for my first few years of teaching. I am a better teacher and person for knowing him. He will be greatly missed.
June 7, 2010
June 7,2010
Dear Suppa family and friends,
I travelled with Bob in the early 1980s when we worked together on a grant awarded by the National Institute of Justice. I will never forget his intensity, generosity, and his humor. He will be greatly missed.
Dr. Scott C. Greenwood
Associate Professor of Literacy
West Chester University
Thenthia Middleton-Taterway
June 7, 2010
Some of my best times as a Teacher for ASD were spent with Suppa, Elba and Diane. My heart is heavy; Suppa was a dear friend that will never be forgotten. Rest easy my friend, Thenthia Middleton.
Kelly O'Connor
June 7, 2010
Bob was also my professor at Lehigh University and my supervisor in Allentown. He was a super mentor and a wonderful friend. He cared so much and always gave you his 100% focus. I have missed him for many years and certainly look forward to meeting up with him again one day.
Elba Rohena
June 7, 2010
Dear Bob:
Even when I did not see you much, I will miss you. My mentor at ASD, I will never forget you. Your passion for the students you worked with was an inspiration.
Te quiere mucho,
Elba
Stacy (Barron) Sommer
June 7, 2010
I worked with Bob at Raub Middle School for a short time. He was such a pleasure to work with. We had some great laughs. My husband and I enjoyed his company when we went out after work on Fridays...I sure did miss him when I left Raub. Rest in peace Bob. My sympathies to the family.
Michele Pessina
June 7, 2010
Dr. Suppa was my first professor and advisor while attaining my Master's in Special Ed. at Lehigh University. He came to teach at Allentown's Mosser Elem.School when a grant allowed us to take graduate classes for free. He not only taught us but related to our everyday concerns as teachers. Some of us teased him about his decision to teach in Allentown since he became so involved in our day-to-day teaching lives. I appreciated his humor and casual style with us, his students. I know he was truly dedicated to all he taught. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Janice Campanella
June 7, 2010
My deepest sympathies to all of his family , Bob was such a wonderful man, and I was heartbroken to hear the news. He came in to my restaurant almost every day.We had alot of fun talking. It was a pleasure to know the man and I will never forget him, he will always be in my heart.
Kristin Csanadi, M.Ed.
June 7, 2010
Dr.Bob Suppa was my first grad school advisor/professor at Lehigh University many years ago. He was a dedicated special education teaching expert who would make himself available anytime knowing we were full-time teachers during the day.
In Sympathy
Ed Lentz
June 7, 2010
I was honored to have been a colleague of Bob when he taught at Lehigh. What a wonderful, warm man--full of humor and truly interested in you as a person. I have many great memories as I'm sure all of those do who knew Bob.
Janice Nemeh
June 7, 2010
My deepest condolences and prayers are with all of you during this very tough time. I had the privilege of working with Suppa at RMS. He was a wonderful teacher and an excellent person. We shared many good times and many laughs. He definitely will be missed!
Carol Schneider
June 7, 2010
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Bob was a wonderful neighbor and a true friend. We will truly miss him.
Carol, Erik, AngelaRae and Cody Schneider
Heather Harlen
June 7, 2010
I had the honor of working with Bob the year he retired from teaching. Although I wish I had the benefit of many more years as his colleague, I'm grateful for the school year we did share. The thing I admired the most about him was how he was unabashedly himself, no matter the situation.
June 7, 2010
To Dr. Suppa's family, I worked with Bob while he was at Dieruff High. He saw potential in all of his students. He never gave up on them. He made work enjoyable for his students as well as coworkers. Bob will be missed by all who knew him. His genuine concern for his students made them feel special. I'll miss his optimistic attitude and smile. Carol Hanych, ASD Paraprofessional
Gina Scala
June 7, 2010
I had the pleasure to be a student and colleague of Dr. Robert Suppa at Lehigh University and Centennial School. He was a great teacher, mentor, and friend. I learned so much from Bob and continue to use his teachings in my professional life to this day. I feel honored to have known Bob and will keep him and his family in my prayers. He saw students through strengths and always wanted to maximize their abilities. I feel that many did not realize the great talent and knowledge that Bob had in the field.
Gina R. Scala, Ed.D.
Chair
Department of Special Education
East Stroudsburg University
Dr. Thomas Handlon, PhD.
June 7, 2010
To Dr. Suppa's family,
He was truly an educational mentor and facilitator with a laugh that warmed even the sternest heart. He will be missed by all his former students, whose hearts he touched. When he left Lehigh University, Allentown School District gained a worthwhile asset. He will be missed!
Perry & Carol Zirkel
June 7, 2010
Bob was always a quietly generous person who was admirably committed to children with disabilities. He left an indelibly positive memory on those who had the good fortune to know him at Lehigh University and Centennial School.
Vivian Sharga
June 7, 2010
Please accept my sympathy for the passing of Dr. Suppa. Bob and I worked together in the Special Ed. Department for many years. He was a great teacher and was very concerned about the children whose lives he touched. He will be missed. Vivian Sharga, Allentown
Ann Marie Gonsalves
June 7, 2010
I will miss his laugh and whit, his love of reading newspapers, the New York Times Crossword puzzles, books and seeing him on his daily jaunts around town.
He was a connection to friends from many years ago at Lehigh University and Uncle Manny's. Thanks, Bob for all the fun and laughter as well as the great disscussions on many topics
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