Robert F. Vanderslice

Robert F. Vanderslice, age 95, Middle Avenue, Bloomsburg (Sunken Heights) concluded his journey in this life at 6:29 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016, in the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital where he was admitted earlier in the day.

Bob, or Vandy, as he as known to his friends, was born in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, on November 8, 1920, the seventh child of George Jackson and Grace (Hartzell) Vanderslice.

He was a 1938 graduate of Bloomsburg High School and attended the former Bloomsburg State Teachers College for 2 ½ years before joining the US Army on February 3, 1941. He spent four years and four months in the Army, serving in England, Africa and Italy, earning the American Defense medal; the European, African and Middle East medal, with one battle Star;  the Good Conduct ribbon; and the Victory in Europe World War II medal, before being discharged on June 22, 1945. He served in the 805 Tank Destroyer Battalion and the Headquarters and Service Co., at Allied Force Headquarters.

Bob spent his working life operating the former Vanderslice Dry Cleaners on the Millville Road for 26 years and working for the US Postal Service for 17 years.

He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Espy.

Bob served as a PIAA basketball official for 27 years and a PIAA football official for 15 years.

He was a life member of the former Winona Fire Co. No. 3 (which is now part of the Bloomsburg Fire Dept.) and a life member of the Bloomsburg Fireman’s Relief Association, of which he was the Financial Secretary for 42 years. He also was a life member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge 436; the Fort McClure Post 804, VFW; and Valley of Bloomsburg Post 273, American Legion, where he served as Finance Officer for many years. He was a social member of the Fearless Fire Co., Allentown.

Bob loved to ballroom dance and belonged to the Big Band Society, Wilkes-Barre, The 131 Dance Club, Lewisburg; the Phoenix Club, York; besides going to Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown; the Lancaster County Club; The Fearless Fire Co. Dance Hall, Allentown; Pine View Acres, Pottsville and Penns Peak, whenever big bands were playing at these places.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, the former Catherine M. Herman on February 3, 1988 and by his second wife of one year, the former Jessie L. (McHenry) Haas on February 22, 1999; three sisters: Betty Roberts, Priscilla Margerum, Marjorie Rosario; and two brothers: Heister Vanderslice and Jack Vanderslice.

He is survived by a son, Robert F. Vanderslice, Jr., and his wife Kathryn, Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter, Gina Sansone, Frankfort, Ky; three step-daughters: Marilyn, Carolyn and Sandy; three grandchildren: Tracy, Victoria and Virginia; four great-grandchildren: Luna, Taegan, Nikita and Catherine; and a sister, Nancy Shannon, Va. He is also survived by his dancing partner and companion for the past 16 years, Elva Livsey, Bloomsburg.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Caleb J. Fritz officiating. Interment with military honors by the combined VFW group will be in Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge. Viewing will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 6-8 p.m.