Dr. Robert D. Lynch

MILL HALL - Dr. Robert D. Lynch, 76, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Williamsport Hospital. He was born Sept. 4, 1933 in Greensburg, Pa. He was married on April 16, 1960 to the former Dolores J. Cruse, who survives. He began his professional career by receiving a diploma from the United States Army, Band Training Unit, while stationed at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. While in the military, he served with the Quartermasters Officers Corps and Military Music Training and served as assistant band director and conductor of the 282nd Army Band as well as the 118th Army Band in Verdun, France, where he was director of the Verdun Headquarters Chapel Choir. Bob continued his education by earning a bachelor of science degree with a major in instrumental and vocal music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, followed by a master of education degree in elementary education from IUP and a master of music education from Duquesne University. He did doctoral work at Penn State University. He began his career at Lock Haven University in 1969 as an associate director of music and project director for Upward Bound. He retired in 1998 as assistant to the president for administration and director of social equity. He had served for many years as the conductor and music director of the Lock Haven University Community Orchestra and Lock Haven Community Chorus. He served as guest conductor of several of the finest orchestras and bands in the country. In 1998 he became a member of the LHU Foundation Board and served on the Advancement and Grants Committee. He was awarded the LHU Roll of Service Award in 2002 and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Service Award in 2000. In 1970, Bob was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education and in 1986 established the Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute as part of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education. He was recently honored for his years of faithful service in Philadelphia at the 40th Anniversary Conference of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education. Bob joined Rotary in July 1969 and remained very active in the organization, serving as president of the Rotary Club of Lock Haven, Governor of RI District 737, district informational coordinator, chairperson of Rotary information and fundraising and a District Conference chairman. He became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1985 and in 2010 achieved Paul Harris Fellow - Level 4 for outstanding giving. In 2004, he was named Rotarian of the Year by Lock Haven Rotary and presented the Lock Haven Rotary Club as Avocational Award. In 2007 he was honored with LH Clubs Smile Award. In 2008, Bob spearheaded Project McKenzie, an effort by the Lock Haven Rotary Club to raise money to help a local youngster McKenzie Gray who suffers from a rare skin disease. Bob established the Children in Peril Committee in 2008 and in 2009 received the Four Way Test Award in Rotary. He served as the lay leader and church school superintendent as well as serving on the steward board of St. Paul's AME Church in Bellefonte. Bob served on many boards and held active membership in numerous professional and honorary organizations. He also received several awards for his distinguished service to the community. In 1997 Bob and his wife, Dolores, received the Outstanding Community Leadership Award from the Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America. In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by sisters, Audrey Lilly and Carol Lawrence, and three nieces, Nicole and Karen Smith and Rhonda Smith. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Simpson. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the Helt Funeral Chapel, 232 Hogan Blvd., Mill Hall with the Rev. Benjamin W. Morrison officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to Project McKenzie or The Children in Peril Fund. c/o Lock Haven Rotary Club, P.O. 205, Woolrich, PA 17779