Robert G. Mcelhattan

Dr. Robert G. McElhattan, 87 of 546 Grant Street, Franklin, PA died peacefully Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 9:38 a.m. at UPMC Northwest Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born September 18, 1923 in Saint Petersburg, PA, a son of Robert A. and Twyla Altman McElhattan. He was married April 1, 1944 to Betty L. Rhoads, who survives. They recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Robert was a World War II veteran, have served in the US Army Signal Corp. in the European Theater from 1943 until honorably discharged in 1945.

Robert graduated from Salem High School as class president in 1941. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Clarion University and Masters and Doctors Degrees in Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. McElhattan was employed in the Franklin School District from 1953 to 1974 beginning as a classroom teacher, counselor, and as a drivers education instructor where he taught 2,100 high school students and adults driving lessons. His driving students still remember his patience and humorous sayings. He had such pride and joy in the success of his classroom students and later his student teacher, and would put every effort in helping them achieve their goals. Dear to his heart was serving for six years as class advisor for the class of 1957 and 1961. He was appointed superintendent of schools in 1967, serving in that capacity until 1974. Following his employment in Franklin, he was elected as District Superintendent of Sullivan County School District. Upon retiring from the Public School system in 1984 and returning to Franklin, he was employed as Student Teacher Supervisor at Clarion University from 1987 to 1992.

Robert was a member of Salem Lutheran Church and Franklin Grace Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday school superintendent and teacher, church council and church education committee member and camp counselor at Champ Lutherlyn. While living in Dushore, PA, he attended Zion Lutheran Church. His faith was based upon and found in the Apostles Creed.

One of his early passions, which occurred after WWII, was playing baseball for Salem, Ashland and Knox Hayrake League in that order. His great love was hunting, which he did up until a few years ago. He loved watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirate games and he always had his camera at hand having taken pictures of family and community events filling over more than 100 albums. He was an avid reader and the proud author of seven books. Gardening and feeding his birds were also a favorite past time. He loved family gatherings with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where hugs and kisses were generously given to all.

He was a member of the Historic Franklin Preservation Association, Venango County Historical Society, and Franklin Public Library and served with his wife, Betty on many projects and events in the Franklin area. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the American Legion, Dehart Rossman Wenner Post 977, Lamartine

Survivors include five daughters; Kay Tansey of Roanoke, VA; June Hetrick and husband Dennis of Clarion; Sally Knipp and husband James of Pittsburgh; Sue Griffen and husband David of Springfield, IL; and Jane McElhattan of Seneca; eight grandchildren; Lisa Reed, Tom Tansey, Kelly Roadway, Betsy Hetrick, Amy Rouze, Elizabeth Gastelum, Emily Franke, and Gwen Redwood, and fifteen great-grandchildren; Zachery, Hannah and Hailey Roadway, Zachary Tansey, Alex and Kara Reed, Luke Rouze, Talis Hetrick, Paxton, Alaina and Lyla Franke, Flossie and Sophia Redwood, and Leo and Magdelaine Gastelum.

Also surviving are two sisters Rhea Switzer of Anaheim, CA, Mary Sobina of Kent, OH; a brother-in-law Eugene Rhoads and his wife Sandy of Shippenville, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers John and Clifford McElhattan, two sisters Louise Rodgers and Kathern Linehan; brother-in-law Glenn Rhoads and a grandson Terry (T.J.) Hetrick.

Relatives and friends will be received from 9:00 A.M. ? 1:00 P.M. on Saturday in the Huff Chapel Inc., 312 West Park St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. in Salem Lutheran Church, Lamartine with Rev. Karen Parsh officiating. Following the service, interment will take place in Salem Cemetery with full military honors.

Family request that memorial contributions be made to the Franklin Public Library, 421 12th St. Franklin PA 16323, The Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 325, Franklin PA 16323 or Salem Lutheran Church, Lamartine, PA 16375.