Robert Irwin Lucas, 80, of Tarentum, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at home, after a lengthy illness. He was born July 30, 1938, in Brackenridge, and he lived in this area all of his life.
Robert was a 1956 Graduate of Tarentum High School, graduated Bob Jones University in 1961, and did his post-graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh in art education, He also studied at Penn State University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown State University. He taught art education at Apollo Area School District/Apollo- Ridge School District, and sponsored the middle school Runestone Yearbook for 20 years. He was certified K-12.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Paul Lucas and Hazel Emma Montgomery Lucas; two brothers, Charles M. Lucas and George T. Lucas; and a sister, Marie Lucas. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Tarentum. He was founder and executive director of the Tarentum History and Landmarks Foundation for 30 years; founder and incorporator of Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society (past president); a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tarentum; and past president, Armstrong County History and Genealogical Society; Burtner House Society; Apollo Area Historical Society; Pittsburgh Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution; Pittsburgh Chapter Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; charter member of the White House Historical Association; life member of the state and national Education Associations; the Masonic Lodge; Knight Templars and Knights of Pythias; honorary life member of the Apollo Hose Company; and served on the board of the Pride in Tarentum Redevelopment Corp.
; served as an adult Sunday school teacher at Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, West Deer, and as a deacon, elder and member of First United Presbyterian Church in Tarentum. In 1981, he authored Tarentum Pattern Glass, a history of the glass industry from 1884 to 1918. He also edited and wrote articles on local history published in the Tarentum Times for 35 years.
In 1976, he was honored as Tarentum’s “Man of the Year” by Eureka Hose Company and by Tarentum Borough at its eighth annual Banquet Community Awards. He received commendations from the borough, Allegheny County commissioners, the Pennsylvania State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives. The event was noted in the Congressional record.
He enjoyed stamp collecting, collecting Tarentum glass and miniature automobiles of yesteryear and compiling a family genealogy. He travelled in all 48 states from Vancouver to Halifax in Canada; and in Western Europe. One of the highlights of his travels was having dinner atop the World Trade Tower in New York City.
He is survived by dear friends and caregivers, who loved him so much, Ronald and Nicolle Lang, Hunter Lang and Trinity Grace Lang. The family has requested no visitation, and all services were private. Arrangements are under the direction of KRYNICKI FUNERAL HOME INC.
, 1007 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. Online condolences may be made at www. krynickifh.com.
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