Robert Franklin Streight

Robert Franklin Streight, better known as "Bob", "Dad" and "Papa", passed away at the age of 90 on January 12, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at his home in Montgomery Village, Maryland.
Bob was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on July 13, 1933 to Dorsey and Dorothy (Rath) Streight. His parents were shocked to find out at the time of his birth that they were having not one baby, but twin baby boys. Bob and his fraternal twin, James, were lifelong partners in mischief.
In childhood, Bob enjoyed playing baseball and basketball and used his creative nature to fix up old radios. In his early teens, he worked a newspaper route to make extra money, and purchased the family's first black and white television set with the earnings. At Altoona High School, Bob was a great student and enjoyed being challenged - his favorite subject was trigonometry. After graduating in 1951, he briefly worked as a magazine shipping clerk at the American News Company in Altoona before he enlisted in the Army.
Bob was in the Army for two years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. While in active service he was at Fort Huachuca, AZ after attending The Signal School in Monmouth, NJ and earned the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Bob then transferred to the Army Reserves and during this time he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University.
Upon college graduation, Bob accepted a job at General Electric Information Services and embarked on a career that took him all over the United States and the world. He would often tell his children and grandchildren stories from work related travels in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Europe and more. He was fascinated by foreign cultures and customs and greatly enjoyed the opportunities to meet people from all walks of life.
While working in California, Bob met the love of his life, Jeanne Carol Jensen, and they got married in October of 1960, three months after their first date. The pair welcomed their first child, James, in 1962 and second child, Lori, in 1966. The family moved frequently due to job promotions until they settled in their Montgomery Village home in the mid 1970s. Bob enjoyed fixing up the house with his carpentry talents, including building bookcases for their home library and the family's kitchen table. During summers and school breaks, the family would travel cross country in their RV, stopping to see National Parks, historic landmarks, and visiting family.
Bob retired from General Electric and enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren. He taught them how to use a typewriter and a computer and enjoyed taking his grandchildren out to restaurants for lunch to try different cuisines. In his free time, he was a lifelong fan of Penn State football and a recent watcher of the show Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. He loved jazz music, particularly the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
In the 2000s, Bob and Jeanne were able to fulfill a life-long dream of building a house in Irvington, Virginia. At this house, Bob's favorite place was the screened in back porch overlooking the water. He would spend time reading the newspaper or working a crossword puzzle while drinking hot green tea. He also enjoyed boating on the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay, fishing, bird watching, and walking in the neighborhood chatting with neighbors.
In death, Bob is now reunited with his twin brother, James, and parents, Dorsey and Dorothy, and his nephew, Rob Streight, who is formerly of North Carolina.
He is survived and sorely missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Jeanne, their two children, James (Wendy) Streight and Lori (Michael) Guthrie, and three grandchildren, Sarah, Devin, and Erica. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Shirley Streight, and niece, Laura Taus, both in Ohio.
He will be fondly remembered as a gentle and kind man who loved his family. He will be forever in our hearts.
No formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to JSSA Hospice, 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville, MD 20850 or on-line at JSSA.org/donate.