Robert L. McGeehan

1936 - 2023

Surrounded by his family, Robert "Bob" Leo McGeehan passed away Friday, March 10, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. He was 86 years old. Bob was born Nov. 10, 1936, to Leo and Margaret McGeehan, of Midland, Pa. He moved to Ontario, Calif., in 1956, where he met and married the love of his life, the late Carol Ogren McGeehan, May 10, 1958. Their life together took them to several cities in California, Naperville, Ill., Raleigh, N.C., Greensburg, Florida, and back to Raleigh. They traveled the world together, and enjoyed retirement on their boat and motor home. Bob enjoyed several careers including at Kaiser Steel, in Fontana, Calif., retiring in 1972, as general foreman in the electric weld pipe mill. A short run as a truck owner-operator followed, and then Bob enjoyed a successful career with Kennametal Inc., of Latrobe, beginning as a service engineer and retiring in 1999 as President and CEO. Under his leadership, Kennametal built a $30 million research and development center, expanded globally in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and reached its first $1 billion sales year. Bob is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Ratchford, of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Mike (Mary Ellen) McGeehan, of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Chris (Jim) Morris, of Raleigh, N.C., daughter, Jennifer (Jeff) Palombo, of Hoover Ala.; and grandchildren, Rebecca (Evan) Hoke, Danny, Ryan and Patrick McGeehan, Drew and Kieran Morris and Jack (Lindsy) and Dean Palombo. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Ogren McGeehan; parents; brother, Paul McGeehan; and sister, Frances McTiernan. A private interment will be at Raleigh Memorial Gardens and a gathering of friends and family will be held April 22. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Bob's favorite charities are welcomed by the family: The Gary Sinise Foundation, the Salvation Army and Transitions Lifecare Hospice.