Robert P. Abernethy, 87, of State College, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 25, 2024. Born in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, on July 5, 1937, Robert was the son of the late J. Robert Abernethy, and Faye J. Miller Abernethy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: James, Charles, and Carl Glenn. Robert was the last of his generation.
On May 4, 1963, he married Margaret Ann Lewis who preceded him in death on January 21, 2020.
After graduating from Houtzdale Woodward Brisbin High School, Robert entered into employment with the tree trimming business, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, then Warner Tree Services, and Penn Lines Tree Services. He served with the US Army, 336 Military Police Battalion. He started his law enforcement career with the Washington D.C., Metropolitan Police Department from August 1963 to August 1967. He then joined the State College Police Department and served as a patrol officer advancing into investigator earning the rank of corporal, conducting arson, narcotic, and vice investigations along with other Federal and State agencies until his retirement in 1987. Robert then started his Private Detective business until 1993. He then became a special investigator with the Department of Environmental Resources, also known as (D.E.R), which later became known as the Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P). While at D.E.P. he investigated environmental issues along with other state agencies until his retirement in January 2003.
He is survived by his two children, a son, Robert S. Abernethy and wife, Jody (Dufour) Abernethy, of Williamsport, PA; a daughter, Lara M. Garda and husband, Marc Garda, of Pittsburgh, PA and four grandchildren, Riley and Regan Abernethy, and Samuel and Luke Garda.
A celebration of life will be held at the Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801 on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm with open remarks beginning at 6:30pm. A graveside service with full military honors will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Houtzdale, PA.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com.