Robert Frank Robacker

Robert “Bob” F. Robacker was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania on January 29th,1951 to Robert L. Robacker and Edith D. (Dressler). The family moved to Newfoundland, Pa. where he was raised and educated. Bob graduated from Lake Wallenpaupack High School then attended

Bloomsburg State College earning a BA degree in Business Administration.

Bob had a passion for anything with an engine and an innate ability to understand how they worked. After college he opted to stay in the Poconos where he put his natural talents to work with his hands “twisting wrenches” at various jobs repairing small engines from boats to snow grooming vehicles and equipment. Bob met Anne Fister in 1975 and they married in Oct. 1978.

Seeking more permanent work they moved to Reading, Pa. where Bob worked at an air-separation plant for a number of years, however the weekly rotating shift work became more and more difficult, especially with a young child at home. He was then hired by Caloric corp. in Topton, Pa. Caloric was bought by Raytheon/Amana Appliances in Iowa. After an interview with Amana they offered Bob a transfer to Iowa to continue on with them as a technical writer.

Bob thrived at Amana and his knowledge and insight of how things worked made him a valued employee in the industry. He was published in Chemical Week magazine for his explanation of gas burner relighting which they dubbed the “Robacker Range Relight Rules”. He also built a dozen working model gas ovens in briefcases to use for training technicians in the field. When Maytag purchased the Amana Appliance Division, Bob was again offered a position in the company which meant moving to Cleveland, Tn. in 2002. Maytag became Whirlpool Corp. where Bob was a Cooking Products technical specialist. In 2020 after 30 years in the industry Bob elected to retire.

Bob was an amazing father to his two sons. As an only child and the youngest of the Robacker clan, Bob had never held a baby until his first son arrived in 1984. He instantly embraced fatherhood and all that it brings. He became a father again in 1989 with no less enthusiasm. He adored his sons and helped guide them to adulthood with patience and wisdom. He was so proud of the responsible young men they have become. 

Dedicated to working hard,Bob was meticulous in everything he did at work and at home. He exemplified the ultimate “Mr. Fix-It”, no job too large or too small. There were always several projects in the workshops. The bigger his sons grew the bigger the “toys” got. One day is was Hot Wheels the next day it was dirt bikes and ATVs. He had to build a shed for the lawn mower. 

Bob was a wonderful husband. His quick wit and wry sense of humor were instrumental in seeing us through the good times and the bad. He will be so profoundly missed. To my husband “Bee”,

“I’m gonna love you till the heavens stop the rain.

 I’m gonna love you till the stars fall from the sky for you and I”. 

 “Touch me “ by Bob’s favorite band The Doors.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lewis Robacker and Edith Madsen.

He is survived by his wife Anne, son Robert Thomas (Bobby)and spouse Cassie, son Thomas Christophel (Tommy) and two grandchildren, Avery Grace and Robert” Reece” Robacker.

Friends and family may donate to the Bradley County Emergency Management in Bob's honor.