Twenty One Gun Salute

Taken for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

JOHNSTOWN — LEVENTRY – Robert R.,

(AKA George Alexander, Bingo Bob, Pappy, Pooh-Pah)

88, Ottawa Street, Johnstown, died June 28, 2010, at Memorial Medical Center. Born July 16, 1921, in Johnstown, son of the late Arthur and Edith (Umbaugh) Leventry. Preceded in death by wife, Aileen F. (Williams); twin brother, William J.; brothers, John, Richard and David; and sisters, Mary Ritenour and Janet Leventry.

Survived by his devoted daughters, Amy, wife of Edward Rosenbaum, Johnstown; Carol, wife of Bernard Smith, Carlisle; and Connie, wife of John Mellott, Windber; and grandchildren, Jennifer, and husband, Mike; Erin and husband, Papa; J. Kirk Waterstram, and wife, Laura; David Waterstram; Lindsey Tolino, and husband, Mike; and John Mellott III; also great-grandchildren, Ethan, Sarah, Norah and Charlotte and Alexander Robert. Also survived by sister, Louise Hogue, Richland; and sisters-in-law, Theresa Leventry, Richland; and Mary Louise Leventry, Indiana.

Bob retired from the U.S. Air Force, a veteran who proudly served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, where he worked as an aircraft technician helping to reclaim the islands in the Pacific. He also took part in the atomic bomb testing following World War II. Later worked many years and was retired from American Red Cross.

Dad was a loving and selflessly generous man. He had a special kindness that he shared with those in need. Dad had an entertaining sense of humor and wit, and his love for his family never wavered.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home, 215 Central Ave., followed by committal service at Grandview Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by Charles Menoher Post 155 VFW Ritual Team, the Rev. Alice Plotts, officiating.

After the service, Aunt Amy shared a true "Grandpa" story. Back when Pap used to attend church, he went to service one Sunday morning & noticed a fella in less-than-Sunday-best duds. Rather than turn his nose up at the man for dressing inappropriately, Pappy called the church office & anonymously donated $200 for the man to purchase church clothes.

Mama's cousin Kirk was blessed with Pappy's gift of speech, and of making everyone feel comfortable whatever the situation. Kirk is the only one in the family who isn't too shy to speak his mind, and luckily, he did a fabulous job vocalizing what the rest of us were thinking...

In the Eulogy, Kirk made a joke about how Gramps' favorite charities were The Meadows & the PA Lotto. But then reminded us how Pappy always needed to give us something when we came to visit him; be it a piece of candy, a $2 bill or a shoe horn, gramps couldn't be happy without sharing something.

Kirk pointed out that each of Bingo Bob's daughters inherited his generosity and kind spirit. Just like Pappy, they are always sacrificing themselves to help their family, friends and even strangers.

I could have inherited Pappy's bald head, but instead I inherited the same kind heart that he gave his daughters. Just like Gramps, there are very few material goods that I wouldn't be excited to pass along to someone who needs them more than we do. When I see a good deal at the store or at a yard sale, I get so excited to buy it, then redistribute it to the next person who says they are looking for "one of those." And now that Kirk made that Grandpa connection for me, I think I will spend even more time being like Pappy!

After the funeral we had a variation of the traditional Irish Wake... Catholics drink & laugh, Leventry's eat & pocket some cookies! About 35 people heeded Grandpa's last offer to, "Come on, I'll buy you a meal," at met up at Hoss's. After a morning of tears, a happy luncheon remembering Pappy was a great send-off.

After we ate up the last scoop of available ice cream, Kirk pulled out a pocket full of PA Lottery Scratch-offs to distribute as one last tribute to Pappy.

(Although the babe has licked a cone before, this was his first solo ice cream cone. He did such a fabulous job, I feel certain that Pappy must have been helping him... That man just LOVED to give the kiddos a sugar-high!)