Robert "Bob" W. Griesemer

Robert “Bob” W. Griesemer

Bob was born in Reading on December 17, 1946 to Donald Y. and June (Keating) Griesemer.  He attended Muhlenberg Twp. High School, Laureldale where he played football, participated in music and drama activities and excelled academically.  He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of America into his senior year.  Muhlenberg is where he met his future wife, Judith A. Filman.  They spent 59 years together, married in 1969 for 54 of those.

After graduation Bob went to Lafayette College in Easton and played freshman football.  He earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and was Commander of the Sigma Nu Fraternity chapter there.  He enrolled in Army ROTC and graduated in 1968 .

After Officer Basic Training at Fort Belvoir, VA, Bob was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corp of Engineers.  He was based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD and in Long Binh, Vietnam.  During that war he was a Company Commander, providing vehicle maintenance and building roads.  He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star.  He was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Captain in 1972.

His civilian career started at Scott Paper Co. in Fort Edward, N.Y.  He was a Project Manager for the start-up of the Cottonelle tissue brand, and advanced into managerial positions.  When the Laboratory of Nuclear Studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. hired him to be the Business Manager of its facilities, he liked to say he “went from toilet paper to nuclear physics”.  He directed the finances and maintenance of CESR.  (Cornell Electron Storage Ring) there and associated with 3 Nobel Laureates who developed the project.   He celebrated with them the discovery of two new sub-atomic particles (Quarks) from 1979 to 1985.

He continued his career in academia in the Dept. of Arts & Sciences at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH; The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT; The Ross School, East Hampton, NY; and as V.P. for Finance at Lycoming College, Williamsport.  At all these schools he was responsible for financial planning and managed the construction of many campus buildings.  After retiring in 2007, Bob worked part-time with RPA, Inc., an executive recruiting company in Williamsport.  He also served as interim finance officer at several other PA colleges.  Bob associated with leaders in education and industry, but he always made time to share a friendly cup of coffee with his support staff!   He treated everyone fairly.

In addition to watching football and hockey, Bob enjoyed playing golf with his brothers and good friends.  After retirement, he and his wife, Judy could be found kayaking, traveling and visiting local wineries and arts festivals. He supported his wife’s musical interests.  His greatest love was following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.  You will be missed, “Poppi”.

Bob was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA, most recently at CHPC in Camp Hill.  He also was a member of NACUBO (the National Association of College & University Business Officers).

Besides his parents, Bob was pre-deceased by toddler brother, Ronald M. Griesemer and sister, Judith A. Hatt both of Reading.  He is survived in Mechanicsburg by his wife, Judith; a daughter, Julie G. Kays (Andrew) of Timonium, M.D. and son, Bryan M. Griesemer (Sarah Smith) of Hendersonville, N.C.   Also brothers David A. Griesemer (Darlene) of Mechanicsburg, Richard S. Griesemer of Columbia and his grandchildren Elizabeth J., Brody E. and Lara K. Kays of Timonium, M.D.  He has many loving nieces and nephews.  Step-mother, Barbara W. Griesemer resides in Reading.

Donations in his memory may be made to Fisher House Foundation, FisherHouse.org; American Cancer Society; or the Camp Hill Presbyterian Church.

All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his greeting of family and friends on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; and his gathering of family and friends on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, 101 North 23rd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; with Reverend Nancy Conklin officiating.  Cremation was private.