Robert Louis O'Brien

Robert Louis O’Brien, Esquire, was born September 11, 1947, in the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD. He died September 7, 2025, at Silver Spring Personal Care Home, Mechanicsburg, PA. He graduated from Lyman Hall High School, Wallingford, CT and the University of Connecticut. He also was a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law, Class of 1978. He joined the Cumberland County Bar Association that same year, as well as the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Rob is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Ruth D. O’Brien, Esquire and his beloved daughter, Colleen K. O’Brien, Esquire (Alicia). Rob is also survived by his adored grandson, Sawyer Smith-O’Brien and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Darcy M. O’Brien and his twin brother, Charles L. O’Brien, Esquire, as well as his parents, Robert and Muriel O’Brien.

Rob practiced law for many years with O’Brien, Baric and Scherer (now Baric Scherer LLC), Carlisle, PA, a firm known for its pro bono work. Rob dedicated himself to The Salvation Army and received a lifetime achievement award for his service. He also served as the Solicitor for the Cumberland County Office of Mental Health and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities and also Solicitor for North Newton Township.

As a young man, Rob had a variety of adventures. He climbed to the summit of Mt. Ranier in Washington State. He joined Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) and worked in outreach to the community of Hiawassee, Georgia, high in the Appalachian Mountains. He lived in Kirkland, Washington for several years where he became a member of the carpet and tile layer’s union. As a law student at Dickinson, he was often accompanied by his faithful dog, Cato, who sat quietly, soaking up constitutional law and torts, making his classmates smile.

Rob enjoyed golf, swimming, travel, reading, scuba diving and sailing on his sailboat “Seaquel II,” which he later sold to his good friend Joe Fay. Rob always enjoyed working with his hands and liked working on projects around the house with help from his good buddy, Dean Chamberlin. Rob also studied philosophy and attended meditation retreats in New York State and Arizona, where he contemplated life’s meaning while living in a yurt.

Most of all, Rob was a good husband, a good father and a good friend to many.

A private Celebration of Life will be held for Rob at the Allenberry, Boiling Springs, PA. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hoffman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be to The Salvation Army, 20 East Pomfret Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 or Grane Hospice, 1200 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 205, Camp Hill, PA 17011.