Robert "Bobby" Hagemes

Robert "Bobby" Hagemes, 89, of Allentown, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2025. Born in Allentown PA, he was the son of the late Lena Yost Hagemes from Hungary and late Johan Hagemes from Germany. He is survived by his caring wife of 53 years, Regina (Silva) Hagemes; eldest daughter, Mary (Hagemes) Buckholz wife of Tony Buckholz, and her children Zachariah Elkhyati, Safaya Elkhyati, Nora Elkhyati; youngest daughter, Rebecca Hagemes wife of Micheal Yeager, and their children Analena Yeager and Robert Yeager.
Bobby started life from humble beginnings. He was one of 12 children, 10 boys, 2 girls, and was the second youngest child. His father passed away when he was 4 years old, so his mother raised 12 children alone, in a country she immigrated to for a better life. They spoke German at home and English in school. Bobby's mother was a cook and worked long hours to support her large family. His older sister Lynn raised the younger boys at home while the older brothers joined the military and sent money home to help support the family. Bobby grew up in a household that struggled to put food on the table and had limited resources, however they stuck together and overcame hardships as a family.
Bobby was a rambunctious child who channeled his energy into sports. He was an amazing athlete who excelled at every sport he tried. He was on championship football and basketball teams at Allentown High School. Bobby continued to develop his athletic skills while he was stationed at Hahn Air Base in Germany. He played for 6th Shoran Beacon basketball and softball teams. He was elected to the basketball "All Star Team" multiple times and deemed Most Valuable Player. He later joined the US World and Olympic 2 Man and 4 Man Bobsled teams and competed in the 1964 Innsbruck Austria Olympics for the USA Bobsled Team. His accomplishments in Bobsledding leading up to the Olympics were; 3rd place at St. Moritz, Switzerland; 2nd place in Junior European Championship Contest; 1st place in the Spanish Cup. He is also credited with saving a bobsledder's life while racing. The brakeman of the 4 man sled was knocked unconscious. Bobby went into action by grabbing the unconscious brakeman, pulling him back into the sled all while working the brakes and getting them to the bottom of the hill, saving this man's life. His elite athletic abilities in multiple sports lead to him being dubbed "Most Versatile Athlete in Europe." After he retired from the military, he still had the competitive spirit and stayed active in recreational sports. He developed a love for golf & bowling, and you could find him on either the golf course or in the bowling alleys weekly with his buddies. He played golf in the Mack Truck golf retiree league and he was captain of a bowling team for East Side Firehall.
After graduating high school in 1954, he enlisted in the Air Force. He traveled the world and had many new adventures. He was proud to serve and protect our country and our freedom. He completed multiple tours in Vietnam and served the USA in many countries across the world. After 20 years of service, he retired in Tucson AZ in 1975 as a Master Sergeant and accumulated 57 ribbons and medals of recognition for distinguished service and dutiful achievements. Bobby was awarded the prestigious Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service twice. After retiring from the military, he was young enough to have a second career at Mack Trucks. He retired from Mack Trucks and the workforce after 12 years.
Bobby had an eventful life and busy schedule, however he always made time for loved ones and his family. He greeted everyone with his beaming smile and a loud gregarious greeting! You always felt welcomed and loved in his presences. He had a great laugh and wanted to share laughter with everyone around him. He was charismatic, funny and loved to tell jokes, even if they weren't always appropriate. The Phillies and Eagles were two of his favorite past times to watch and talk about! He was a reliable person, and very generous, he'd give you the shirt off his back. His strength and determination lifted up the people he loved, and his support was unbreakable. He led his family with integrity and goals, which helped them to have successful and fulfilled lives. He set an example of what you do for loved ones by always showing up and fully participating in his children's lives. He was always there for every dance, swim meet, football game, horseback riding lesson, bowling league, softball, ROTC awards, indoor guard, concert, graduation, birthday party, and giving rides to and from school/activities. He had a rule that his family ate dinner together every night, so there wasn't a day that would go by without speaking with them. He was just always there, a constant force in the lives of the people around him, the true rock of the family.
His grandchildren will tell you he is the BEST OPA EVER! He was very involved in their lives from when they were born until the day he past. His face always lit up when they came to visit, and he couldn't wait to make them smile! He passed his love of golf onto both of his grandsons, and he loved to chit chat with the girls. He is the greatest role model all 5 of them could have in their lives.
Bobby worked hard, he played hard, he loved hard and always lived life to the fullest. He was never afraid of anything, he took risks and loved with all of his heart. Everyone that meet him always left with a smile, he was just that likable. His loved ones are celebrating the life of a great man, that lived a great life and is leaving behind an amazing legacy.
Services: A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, 17th & Hamilton Streets, Allentown. A calling period will be held from 1-2:30 PM with the services starting at 2:30 PM in the funeral home. www.BKRFH.com