Robert V Hazenstab
October 23, 1933 ' August 11, 2022 (age 88)
Cherished contractor and man of strong faith departed this life of 88 years after a lengthy illness on Thursday, with family by his side. Bob was the last surviving child of James Regis and Annie (Maher) Hazenstab. He was born at the family farm in East Freedom, and was the youngest of eight. Bob had one sister, Olene (George) Singel; and six brothers, Thomas (Marie), Patrick (Peggy), John (Kathleen), Eugene (Barbara), Roger (Margie), and Raymond (Mary Ellen).
In 1957 he married Thelma Mosser of Claysburg. They would have been married 65 years, this October. They raised a family of four children in Duncansville: Elizabeth McCabe (Paul), Robert E. (Michelle), Richard (Wendy), and Deborah Blackburn (Geoffrey); nine grandchildren who adore their Pap: Sue Ann McCabe, Robert V Hazenstab II (April), Erin Bard (Jordan), Adam Hazenstab (Alyssa), Geoffrey Blackburn Jr. (Staci), Sarah Johnson (Erik), Molly Kolvochik (Billy), and twin grandsons await for him in Heaven. Bob also has thirteen great grandchildren ages 21 to 5 hours old; and one great-great grandson. One great-granddaughter, Maggie, recently gained her angel wings and awaits her Pap in Heaven. Bob is survived by two sisters-in-law, Barbara and Mary Ellen Hazenstab and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is endearingly called "Uncle Bob" by many.
Bob graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 1952. He ran track and went to state competitions in Hershey. He always loved to run. He excelled in woodworking class. Bob, as well as all six of his brothers, were drafted into the Army. He often said, "Seven Brothers drafted and Seven Brothers Returned." He served in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii from 1954 to 1956. Keeping with his deep faith, he became a member of the Holy Name Society of Schofield Barracks.
Carpentry was a gift from God and came easy to Bob, but before he found his true calling, he worked several jobs. As a boy he worked on the farm and on the weekends would ride to Altoona with his dad huckstering vegetables. He was a mickey on the railroad, dug burial plots, and stocked shelves at Acme. He honed his carpentry skills with Ralph Albarano, Sr in the late 1950's. He later joined his brother, Gene, with Hazenstab Construction until 1978 when Bob and Thelma acquired the business and named it R Hazenstab Construction. Throughout his building career, he built numerous schools, churches, businesses and many, many beautiful and unique, custom homes.
Bob and Thelma are famous for their annual Christmas party which showed their appreciation to family, friends, employees, and clients. These were big and legendary, and Bob knew how to throw a party!
For 62 years, Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus with the Star of the Sea council in Hollidaysburg and achieved the 4th degree. He served for more than 30 years as chairman of the Duncansville Municipal Authority. He also was a member of his class reunion committee.
Bob, as well as Thelma and their children, are founding members of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church of Duncansville. Bob helped remodel the original church and social hall. Later, he built the Shrine of the Blessed Mother behind the current St. Catherine's. After his retirement, he spent countless hours taking care of his Church, and he attended daily mass.
A public viewing will be held at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Duncansville, from 3-8pm on Mon., Aug. 15, 2022. A final viewing will be held on Tues., Aug. 16 from 10 until the 11am Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Church, officiated by Monsignor Robert Saly. Interment with military honors accorded by the Blair County Honor Guard will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.
Per Bob's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Catherine of Siena, Duncansville, or to your favorite Church or charity. Per the family's request, please write down and share a story about Bob. We would love to read them and share with his next generations.
If you knew Bob well enough, he may have shared a toast with you.
Cheers, Dad! |