Obituary of Robert Lawrence Passow

Robert Lawrence Passow of State College died suddenly in the early morning hours of Friday, December 26, 2014 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center after singing in the choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Christmas Eve and spending Christmas Day with his daughter and her family. He was 91.

Bob was born in Chicago, IL on May 23, 1923 to Lawrence and Edith (Carlson) Passow. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara (2011) and two sisters: Carol Watkins (1954), and Elaine Passow (2014). He is survived by his brother Lawrence; two children: Janet Passow Engeman and her husband, Matthew Thompson, of State College; and Robert L. Passow, Jr. and his husband, B. Patrick Cox, of Alexandria, VA; and two grandsons: Nick Gillock and his wife, Yi-Hsiu Yeh and their son, Julian Gillock Yeh Rife, of Los Angeles, CA; and Douglas Gillock and his wife, Queen Esther Pooser, of New York City.

Bob graduated from Taft High School in Chicago in 1941 and entered the Army in 1943, where he served as a radio operator on a troop ship and spent time in the Far East. Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree from William and Mary College in 1948, then enrolled in graduate school at Penn State, where he met Barbara McDowell of Bellefonte; they married in 1950. He earned a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State in 1952. Bob worked for HRB Singer for about 20 years—in 1954 he spent a year in Germany with his family as a scientific advisor to the U.S. Army. Bob retired from Penn State in 1987 after 15 years in the Office of the Physical Plant.

Music and the church played major roles in Bob’s life. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, where he served many terms on the Vestry and was an active member of the Committee to Combat Prejudice. Bob and Barbara were active LGBT advocates, and co-founders of the local chapter of Integrity, the largest grassroots organization for LGBT concerns within the Episcopal Church. They made frequent presentations within the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, and at Penn State.

In addition to singing in St. Andrew’s choir for more than 60 years, Bob was active in the State College music scene, singing with Pro Nobis (a small vocal ensemble), the State College Choral Society, and the Opera Society of Central Pennsylvania. He also supported the Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) for many years, volunteering his time in the management office.

Active in both the U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bob and Barbara were avid sailors. They raced their Thistle sailboat with the Lake Glendale Sailing Club at Prince Gallitzin State Park for many years, and later served on the race committee. After retiring from racing, they frequently enjoyed cruising on the Chesapeake Bay, vacationing on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, visiting their friend Michael Jinbo (Director of the NVS) in Maine, and touring the U.S. and Europe. Bob also was a craftsman; reflecting his various interests, his projects included building a Sunfish sailboat and a harpsichord.

After moving to The Village at Penn State, Bob added many village activities—he never missed an opportunity to sing—to his already busy life. He enjoyed attending concerts and opera performances in town and on campus, and served on the board of directors for Music at Penns Woods.

Bob will be remembered by his many friends as an open, loving, and caring man who always offered a welcoming smile and a helping hand.

A memorial service to honor Bob’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave., State College, PA 16801. A reception will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Music Fund at 208 W. Foster Ave., State College, PA 16801 or to the Nittany Valley Symphony, P.O. Box 1375, State College, PA 16804.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be offered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.