Robert L. Bates

Robert L Bates, Jr., 96, died November 29, 2014.

He was the husband of Helen C. (Maier) Bates, with whom he had more than 65 years of wedded happiness. He and his beloved wife moved to The Highlands of Wyomissing 16 years ago and made many new friends there.

Born in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of the late Robert and Frances (DeMay) Bates. A sister, Jean, wife of Robert Roy, preceded him in death.

He graduated from Reading High School in 1936 and served in the Army Air Force in WWII, seeing action in England and Greenland as a member of the 2nd Bombardment Group. After the war he was a student at Wyomissing Polytechnic, prior to its becoming Penn State Berks. He retired from Western Electric Co. after working for many years as a highly skilled tool and die maker.

Surviving is a daughter, Susan Speros, of Sinking Spring, wife of Ernest Speros; a son, Robert L. Bates, III, of Reading, husband of Theresa; three grandchildren: Shelley Brower, wife of Matthew, David Bates, husband of Justyna, and Matthew Bates, husband of Marcy; and six great-grandchildren: Andrew, Emma, and Natalie Bates; Samuel and Evan Bates; and Cecelia Brower.

Robert loved the outdoors, swimming, tennis, golf, and camping, was very active in the Boy Scouts all his life, and received the "Silver Beaver Award", the highest award one can receive in scouting. He wrote his autobiography, and several lively articles about his boyhood were published in the Historical Review of Berks County. The Reading Eagle ran a feature about his many scouting experiences. He especially loved camping at Promised Land State Park with his wife and family and the Hoshauer and Grim families.

He was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Catharine of Siena R.C. Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Reading. A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.