Robert H Horger

Robert H. Horger, age 97, of Cabot, Pennsylvania, and a seventy year former resident of New Philadelphia, died peacefully late Sunday afternoon, August 26, 2012, under the care of Good Samaritan Hospice.

Born at New Philadelphia, April 18, 1915, he was the last surviving of seven children born to the late John U. and Ida May Heldt Horger.

A 1934 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, he worked in a family mining operation at Hopedale as a young man before returning to New Philadelphia where he joined Warner & Swasey Co. His career there concluded in 1980 when he retired as a general foreman of the company.

Throughout his life he served his community well and was a lifelong member of New Philadelphia’s First United Church of Christ. During his active years, Mr. Horger served as both a deacon and trustee for the church. Mr. Horger was also appointed to serve on New Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreations Board and served as president for a number of years.

For more than fifty years, he served as a registered leader for the Boy Scouts of America as both as scoutmaster and cub scoutmaster. Within the Buckeye Council, he served in various capacities and was past chairman of the Netawotwes Committee. He received both the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award for his longtime positive impact upon the hundreds of scouts he lead during his tenure. Mr. Horger was also a longtime member of the B.P.O. Elks # 510 of New Philadelphia.

Survivors include his son, Robert C. (wife, Benita) Horger of New Kensington, PA.

He’ll be sadly missed by his granddaughter, who affectionately referred to him as “grandpap”, Michelle (husband, Damian) Resick of Monroeville, PA.

Many cousins, nieces, and nephews complete the family.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Horger is preceded in death by his wife, the former Elise C. Lonzer, whom he wed June 20, 1936. The couple celebrated sixty-six years of marriage prior to her passing on February 6, 2003.

Four sisters, Helen, Davis, Evelyn Ramsdell, Hazel Gustafson, and Mary Knisley, as well as two brothers, John C. Horger and Arnold Horger, are also deceased.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where The Rev. Jeff Gerber will lead Mr. Horger’s funeral service Thursday morning at 10:30.

Burial, alongside his wife, will follow in New Philadelphia’s East Avenue Cemetery.

Following the committal service, a luncheon reception will be held in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.

Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting Mr. Horger’s permanent memorial on the funeral home’s website.

Mr. Horger left specific instructions asking that anyone who would send flowers, to instead make a memorial contribution to the Buckeye Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 2301 Thirteenth Street, NW, Canton, OH 44708, the First United Church of Christ, 201 Fair Avenue NW New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to the Good Samaritan Hospice, in gratitude for their exemplary care, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA, 16023.