Robert Blair Coughanour, 95, of Sewickley, was called home to be with the Lord, on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Sturgeon Health Care Center, Masonic Villages of Sewickley. He was the son of the late Levi Blair and Virginia Magee Coughanour. He was born on September 29, 1928, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He was known to family as Blair but to most he was known as Bob. He grew up in Uniontown with his three siblings and a host of extended family members as his mother had ten brothers and sisters.
In his youth and during high school, Bob delivered newspapers to 70 daily customers of the Daily News Standard earning 1 cent for each paper delivered. He eventually made $10 a week. After graduating from high school, Bob delivered ice cream for Hagan Ice Cream Company, laid gas pipe for the Gas Company, poured concrete foundations for Fairchance Lumber Company, loaded trucks for Uniontown Construction Company, and managed his Uncle Bob’s model airplane shop.
In the summer of 1942, his father and a favorite uncle began construction on a weekend cabin in the picturesque mountains of Farmington, Pennsylvania. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Nessie Shaffer. He was 14 and she was 13. Bob graduated from Uniontown High School, attended California State Teachers College before graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Bob and Nessie married February 21, 1951, and moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where Bob started a job as a Cadet Engineer in the Styrene Department with Koppers Company in Monaca. Soon he became Shift Foreman and in 1965, when Koppers was purchased by Sinclair Oil Company, Bob was promoted to Superintendent of Styrene Operations and later Superintendent of the Powerhouse and Utilities. In 1970, the company was purchased by Atlantic Richfield and Bob became Superintendent of Polystyrene Operations. In 1971, he was promoted to Plant Manager, a position he held until 1979, when he was transferred to Arco Chemical Corporate Headquarters in Philadelphia with the title of Manager, Manufacturing Operations. Bob officially retired from Arco Chemical Corporation in 1985 but was retained as a consultant until 2005. Bob spent the last part of his career consulting expandable polystyrene manufacturers and manufacturers of expandable polystyrene products such as cups, insulation, and packaging supplies. He consulted them regarding release of chemicals during manufacturing and compliance with regulatory agency requirements until he permanently retired in 2019 at the age of 91.
While living in Beaver County, Bob was involved in many outside activities: Youth League Baseball Coach, United Way Board of Directors, Blackhawk ISD School Board member, Masonic and Shrine organizations, and a member of Beaver Valley Country Club where he learned to play and enjoy golf. After retirement from the work force in 1985, Bob and Nessie built a home in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where they spent 21 years enjoying golf and the beautiful surroundings. Bob became involved with the local homeowner’s association and was president for many years.
Bob was an avid sports fan. He cheered on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Penn State Football, and the Duke Blue Devils basketball team.
Bob received his 50-year Masonic pin in a special ceremony in Dallas, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and resided at Star Points Personal Care in the Masonic Villages of Sewickley. He was very active in all the activities offered there. He was instrumental in starting a music ministry for his fellow residents. He played selected music from his mobile phone and speakers three and sometimes four times a week. Bob was very proud to be a graduate of Penn State University and especially proud of his chemical engineering degree. He was a person of faith, attending church regularly, and a lover of all types of music.
He is survived by his son Rob and daughter-in-law Sylvia Foster of Ocala, Florida, daughter Sue and son-in-law Dennis Scullion of Plano, Texas, grandchildren Robbie Coughanour (Shannon) of Woodstock, Georgia, Lacy Frenzel (Russ) of Coppell, Texas, Billy Scullion of Dallas, Texas, and his great grandsons RJ and Ryan Coughanour, and Grayson and Jase Frenzel. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife Nessie, brother John Wesley, and sisters Ruth Irene and Nancy.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations LLC, Family Owned and Operated, 626 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon 724-929-6183. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website:
Posted online on July 03, 2024
Published in The Beaver County Times
