With great sadness the Senator Family announces the passing of much-loved husband, father, brother and friend Robert (Bob) (Sam) Senator. Held in the arms of his wife and surrounded by children and grandchildren he left this world on July 8, 2024.
Jokingly priding himself in being “an actual Senator of Washington, D.C” (birthplace), he began his life as one of four children of Evelyn (Nichols) and Robert Senator, Sr. …Theresa, Bob, David and Thomas. Thomas, affectionately called “Uncle Tom” (and yes, he does have a cabin) remains, residing in New Jersey with his lovely wife Sandy.
Bob earned his bachelor’s in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and from there began his career at HRB Systems in State College, Pa. He and Jenne (Jennifer Sanner of Erie, Pa) married in December of 1979 and soon thereafter moved to Guam. Bob excelled in his career which resulted in amazing opportunities and world travel with his wife and family.
Home base for Bob was always on “the farm” outside of Spring Mills, Pa where he and Jenne raised their four children: Robert III (Bo), Corina (Smucker), Gabriel (Gabe) and Leah (Eberly). The family pioneered in homeschooling…22 years!…and were devoted members of the Penns Valley Community.
In 2011 Bob was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and in 2015 had a lung transplant. His compromised health brought with it huge struggles and much suffering. Many, in recent years, have come to know “Sam” the name he took on as he transformed from a self-confident, rising, systems engineer of Raytheon Technologies to the humble, God-dependent lover of his wife, family and friends.
Bo and his wife Alicia (Hall) live on the family farm raising their four boys, Sam’s treasured grandsons Heath, Blake, Landon and Hudson. Corina and her husband Austin Smucker live in Elizabethtown. “Pap”’ always waited for the days when “the kids were coming” so he could spend time and play checkers with Caleb, Evie (Evelyn) his “favorite granddaughter” and his reading buddy Elijah. Gabe, Sam’s cohort in solving the problems of the world and one of his best friends, lives in Millheim, Pa. Leah lives with her husband Korey (Eberly) adventuring in Wasilla, Alaska and are excited to meet their “little one,” Sam’s eighth grandchild, in December.
Sam (Bob) was an active member of Penns Valley Community church whenever his health allowed. He and Jenne shared a passion for children and youth and he, especially, spent countless hours with Boy Scouts and then with Penns Valley Youth Center desiring to make a difference in young lives.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Family Life of Penns Valley, 108 Ridge Road, Centre Hall, with Pastor Tom Titus officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.
In honor of Bob/Sam please consider a contribution in his name to the Penns Valley Youth Center at PO Box 175, Spring Mills, PA 16875 or by going to www.pennsvalleyyouthcenter.com.