Robert E. McNabb July 24, 1921 - December 6, 2017

Surrounded by Big Band music, at the Gino Merli Veteran Center in Scranton, Bob passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the age of 96. He will now travel to be with the true love of his life, the late Bernadine Joan (Hessinger) McNabb, whom he shared 68 beautiful years of marriage until her passing in 2013.

Born in Allentown July 24, 1921, he was the son of the late Edwin J. and Frances (Jacoby) McNabb. He was a graduate of Allentown High in 1937 attending the Allentown Preparatory School and the University of Cincinnati, after which he served in the U.S. Air Force. Bob graduated from Lehigh University in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering and joined Allentown Roofing after a brief stint with Bell Laboratories.

A registered professional engineer, Bob served as president of the Allentown Junior Chamber of Commerce and, in 1955, was named Allentown’s Outstanding Young Man and, in 1956 was selected as one of Pennsylvania’s three outstanding young men.  He was the first honorary life member of the Allentown Jaycees and was a member and past President of the Allentown Rotary.  He too was a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of Allentown Hospital, The Lehigh County Association for the Blind and First Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Bob purchased Allentown Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. Inc. and under his guidance was responsible for the construction of the roofing systems for ABE Terminals, Mack Truck World Headquarters, First National Banks Operation Center and Lehigh County Community College.

Bob raised funds for United Way and Catholic Charities, and lead capital programs for Cedar Crest College, his alma mater Lehigh University and for Good Shepard Home. He was deeply involved in community activities from Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce Speakers Committee and Lehigh Valley Motor Club.  His true passions were serving as a lecturer at St. Catharine of Siena and his membership in the Sharps and Flats Musical Group, which allowed him to entertain and speak to over 400 groups on the subject of “Remembering the Big Bands”. He was an avid golfer and former member of the Brookside Country Club.

His family is eternally grateful to the dedicated staff of professionals at the Gino Merli Veteran Center, who cared for Bob as if they were his own family.  As special thanks to Ms. Chris Raider.

Bob outlived all of his generation in both the McNabb and Hessinger families.  He is survived by his son, Robert Jr, his Grandson and Granddaughter Kimberly, Great Grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

 Services: Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 am Saturday, Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena Catholic Church, 18th and Turner Streets Allentown. Calling at 11:15 – 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the church followed by service. Interment Grandview Cemetery. Arrangements, Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. Allentown. www.stephensfuneral.com.

 Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please remember Bob who asked that we support Peaceable Kingdom of the Lehigh Valley 1049 MacArthur Road Whitehall 610-432-2532.