Robert Joseph Bechtel
Robert Joseph Bechtel, 82, of Easton, PA, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, with his loving family by his side, on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Born in Easton, PA, on January 27, 1939, Bob was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Strohaber) Bechtel. Bob graduated from Easton Catholic high school in 1956, and joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served our country. Bob was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic church in Easton, PA.
Bob married the former Alice Stanton on October 10th, 1964, celebrating his 56th wedding anniversary last year. Bob worked for many years at the former Lehigh Foundry as a payroll manager, before joining the Forks Township Police Force, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He also drove bus part time for Trans Bridge. After retiring he drove bus for IU20. Bob enjoyed Golf and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies fan. He celebrated many Father’s days down at Citizens Bank Park rooting on his favorite team.
Bob enjoyed traveling with his wife, especially to warm weather locales, particularly Arizona, where he enjoyed a wonderful trip for a month in October 2019. In his younger years, he enjoyed gardening and taking walks with his family. In his retirement years, he enjoyed sitting on his back patio on warm weather days, enjoying the sights and sounds around him. In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his three daughters: Kathleen, wife of Charles Hartenstine, of Bath PA; and step children and grandchildren; Eileen, wife of Jeffrey Kirk of Forks Township; and Mary Bechtel, and her partner Kate Murray, of Forks Township, along with his sister Carol, wife of the late Frank Nodoline, of Forks Township, and 15 nieces and nephews along with their families.
Calling hours will be from 6:30-8pm Tuesday, March 9th at the Finegan Funeral Home, 4080 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA. A Mass of Christian burial will then be held at 10 am on Wednesday, March 10th at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 132 S. 5th St, Easton, PA. Interment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, William Penn Highway, Easton, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital, via stjude.org/donate, The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, via healthyanimalcenter.org/donate, or Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.