by Bob Donaldson Obituary, Death – Robert J. Donaldson, age 90, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Donaldson, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022. Robert J. Donaldson was a lifelong resident of Donaldson’s Crossroads, which is located in Peters Township. He worked for the Brookside Lumber and Supply Company in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, for a total of 53 years before leaving on April 11, 2003; throughout that time, he held the position of Vice President of the business. He was a veteran who served during the Korean War with the 29th Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Fort Buckner, Okinawa.
During his time there, he was stationed overseas. In addition to receiving his initial training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Robert went to Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia and Engineer School on Eta Jima in Japan. Shirly Eileen Hixon, who was born in Monntown, Eighty Four and is the daughter of Addison I. Hixon and Ella Rittenhouse Hixon, became his wife on April 28, 1956. Bob was a life member of the Peters Township Volunteer Fire Company, having served the organization for a total of 38 years as an active fire fighter, during which time he held the positions of Assistant Chief, Director, and Chaplain for a combined total of seven years.
He was a member of the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, which is located on Pike Street in Canonsburg. He served as an usher for 55 years and was also active in the church’s committees for membership and fellowship, as well as music and worship. In 1967, when four Presbyterian congregations merged into one, he was also a trustee during this process. Bob did research for the Peters Township Library on the many villages within the township as well as the changes that have occurred at Donaldson Cross Roads over the past century. Robert is survived by his two sons, Robert J. Donaldson, Jr. and his wife Susan of Denver, Colorado,
and Jeffrey L. Donaldson and his wife Jennifer of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, Victoria Lynn and Samuel Marcus; and siblings Richard F. Donaldson and his wife Jody of McMurray, Patricia D. Stutzman and her husband Steve of Canonsburg, and Nancy J. Johnston and her husband Gary of Mentrose, Colorado. Additionally, he leaves behind a sizable number of nieces and nephews. Rose Withrow (David), Walter E. Donaldson, Jr. (Rose Marie), and Alice D. Coffield were his siblings who passed away before he did (Paul). At Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, which is located at 3287 Washington Road in McMurray,
Pennsylvania 15317 and can be reached at 724-260-5546, family and friends are invited from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022, and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022.
