Obituary of Robert Hughes

Robert "Bob" Hughes passed away peacefully at home Sunday night, August 23rd, in the presence of his five children. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Penny, and also by his brother Frank and his sister Nina. He is survived by his children John, Bob, Heather, Keith, and Glenn, their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Born in Hartford, CT on April 8th, 1928 he was raised in the Philadelphia area. He graduated from Lower Merion High School where he was a two-time state champion in gymnastics on the parallel bars. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he worked in sales and marketing, completing his career with the Moore Push-Pin Company. He invented the Tidy Line, a device to tame unruly ski tow ropes. He taught hundreds of people how to water ski. He founded Colonial Metal Polishers. He played bagpipes in the Valley Forge Highland Band. He took the neighborhood kids for rides in The Woody, a 1925 Model T huckster truck. He co-founded the Mount Schnoptop Skiing Sailing and Swizzle Society, a group of life-long close-knit friends. He was the life of the party. When he and Penny retired to Fairview Lake in Tafton, they continued to enjoy skiing, sailing, and doing good works for others. They joined the First Presbyterian Church of Hawley. He enjoyed creating gifts using paint, glass, brass, wood, and especially sea shells. In his later years, he was blessed by the company of many angels on earth. He was well-loved. A memorial service in celebration of his full life will be held on Friday, August 28th at 2:00 pm at the Palmyra Township Pavilion, 202 Gumbletown Road, Paupack, PA 18451. This is an open air pavilion with picnic tables. Guests may wish to bring lawn chairs. Please also bring your stories to share. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Meals on Wheels, 150 Pike County Blvd, Lords Valley, PA 18428.