John Garwood Robb

Dr. John Garwood Robb, 100, of Meadville, PA passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He was born on January 19, 1925, in Vandergrift, PA to Elias Shaffer Robb and Mary Ann (Reither) Robb.

After graduation from Vandergrift High School John entered the Army during WWII and served in a mortar platoon in the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge. They were ordered to surrender after three days of fighting due to lack of food and ammunition causing him to be held as a POW for nearly four months in Bad Orb, Germany Stalag 1XB. His camp was liberated shortly before the war’s end.

John resumed his education by graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University, College of Dentistry. On July 31, 1954, he married Marilyn Haise Robb of Erie and established his dental practice the following year in Meadville. John was interested in organized dentistry and served in all components including county, district and state where he served the Pennsylvania Dental Association for six years as trustee. After retirement he served as Secretary Treasurer of Crawford County Dental Society for twenty-six years.

In the 1970’s John began meeting with the 106th Infantry Division Association at their annual reunions and served in several offices including President, Board of Directors and Memorials Chairman. Attending thirty-three reunions over the years, he was awarded The Order of the Golden Lion for service to the association.

John is a member of The First Presbyterian Church following over forty years membership in the Emmanuel United Church of Christ where he served on the PennWest conference board.

Following retirement after thirty-eight years of dental practice, he completed the Penn State Master Gardener Program. He volunteered at the Crawford County Fair Fruit and Vegetable Department for many years and was a vegetable gardener and enjoyed growing roses.

John volunteered for various organizations including Crawford County Historical Society and Baldwin Reynolds House, water monitor of French Creek from old Mead Avenue Bridge with senior volunteers. He participated in exercise programs and the planning of Veterans Day celebrations each year at Active Aging Meadville. John served many years as a member of the Northwest Region of Council on Aging and attended a White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C. He enjoyed being an active member of both the Meadville Roundtable and Taylor Hose where he was the oldest and longest member.

Along with gardening, John enjoyed trail walking in state and national parks, bird watching, and traveling both domestically and abroad.

In addition to his wife Marilyn of 70 years, John is survived by cousins, many nieces and nephews as well as special friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Jean Robb Kempin and half-sisters, Martha Robb Gwinn and Sarah Robb Stanley, as well as a niece, a nephew and cousins.

His was a life well lived, and John felt blessed to be remembered by so many when he recently marked his 100th birthday.

Family and friends will be received for visitation on Friday, March 7 from 1:00-3:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335 and on Saturday, March 8 at 10:00 AM prior to funeral services beginning at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 890 Liberty St., Meadville with Rev. Benjamin Black, officiating. Interment will follow at Greendale Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, Inc., in honor of Audrey Nethery, a niece of John and Marilyn. DBA Foundation, PO Box 1092, West Seneca, NY 14224.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosefh.com.

A livestream of the funeral service will be streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page. You can access the livestream by clicking on the link: https://www.facebook.com/waidfuneralhome