Robert “Bob” L. Kimble

Robert “Bob” L. Kimble of Zion, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.  He was born on February 13, 1935 in Blossburg, PA and raised on the family farm located in southern Tioga County, near Liberty PA.  He was the son of the late Harry E. Kimble and Thelma M. (Taylor) Kimble.  He graduated from Liberty Joint High School in 1953.  He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  His military service resulted in a lifelong aversion to rice.

In 1957, Bob married Garnetta C. Wolaver at Freidens Lutheran Church in Liberty. Garnie survives at home in Zion, and they shared 64 years of marriage.

Bob graduated from Penn State University in 1960 with a degree in Animal Husbandry and went to work for Penn State in the Cooperative Extension Service. The TV series Green Acres was popular at the time and of note was the bumbling county extension officer named Hank Kimball. The two oldest of Bob’s son’s still answer to the universal nickname “Hank.”

In 1966, Bob became the first Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Meat Animal Evaluation Center.  In 1984, he became the Manager of Animal Facilities with the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State until his retirement in 1995.  Bob also spent many weekends as an animal judge for 4-H and FFA projects all over the North East.  His love of animals did not extend to goats.

Bob was active in several organizations:  Zion United Church of Christ, Bellefonte Area School Board, Walker Township Water Association, Planning Commission Spring/Benner/Walker Joint Sewer Authority.  He was also a member and Past Master of the Bellefonte Lodge #268 Free & Accepted Masons, a Life Member of Bellefonte Elks Lodge #1094, the State College American Legion Post #245 and a Life Member of Black Wolf Fish and Game Club.  He was one of the founders of the Penn State Stockmen’s Club. He was also the Secretary for 45 years of The Lost Weekend Gang… don’t ask.

Bob was the epitome of an outdoorsman.  He hunted big game in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Canada.  Tent camping on multiple occasions in difficult terrain for elk, moose, mule deer, antelope, caribou and bear. The remains of which can be seen hung on the interior of the Kimble homestead.  Bob caught a fish or two in Florida, Canada, Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, although his favorite seafood was oysters.

Bob and Garnie enjoyed 20+ years of RV Camping in Florida as snowbirds. Bob surprisingly embraced the internet and watching Eagle Cameras from Florida to Maine became a favorite pastime.  In his younger years Bob managed a sizable vegetable garden and transitioned to over planting trees, bushes and flowers. His motto for many things in life was “if one is good, two are better.” Bob’s super power was the ability to “MacGyver” any tool into submission for the job at hand.  The downside of this ability was the inability to throw anything away in case he “might need that.”  Many summers were spent boating on the Susquehanna and Sayers Dam.  More than 50 people learned to water ski under his tutelage.

In addition to his wife, Garnetta, he is survived by his four children; Larry Kimble of Bellefonte, Kathy (Brad) Eckley of Columbia, MD, Scott Kimble of Bellefonte, and Robb (Lea Ann) Kimble of Howard; six grandchildren, Paige Yuhasz, Evan (Laura) Eckley, Ethan Eckley, Zack Kimble, Ryan Kimble and Kayla Kimble; and three great grandchildren, Braylen Kimble, Clementine Eckley and Ellie Kimble.
Also surviving is one sister, Mary (Gene) Cerutti of Sayer; three nephews and three nieces.  Bob was predeceased by his brother Max (Sylvia) Kimble and his parents. 

Service information: 
Kader-Neff Funeral Home
135 West Main Street
Howard, PA  16841
The family will receive guests from 10:00-11:00am on Saturday, June 25, 2020 at the funeral home, immediately followed by the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Family Hospice, Part of UPMC
20 Sheraton Drive
Altoona, PA 16601
1-855-GIVE-HNA