Robert (Bob) Hitesman

Robert (Bob) Hitesman, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Oct. 24, 2025.

Born on April 17, 1926, he was the loving son of the late John and Elizabeth Hitesman (nÈe Hopkins), and cherished brother of the late Mary Ann Dreslin.

Bob grew up in Muncy until the family moved to Wellsboro. Bob graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1943 and joined the Army Specialized Reserve Training Bureau after graduation at the age of 17, until he was able to formally enlist at 18.

He studied engineering and completed Army officer training at Carnegie Institute of Technology and was stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama, where he trained incoming recruits and handled transportation and logistics duties.

Upon his honorable discharge on May 9, 1946, he went to work for New York Central Railroad, Corning Glass and eventually retired from Thatcher Glass in 1984.

Bob was a devoted son, and spent his retirement caring for his mother, Elizabeth, until her passing. He was also an avid tree farmer and spent many hours out in the woods caring for his land in Maple Hill and Blackwell.

Bob was a cherished uncle to Kelly Arena (John), Anton Dreslin (Sally) and Kimberly Dreslin-McAndrew (Paul); cherished granduncle to Neena Pine (Alan), Brendan McAndrew, Fig McAndrew and Nora Dreslin; great-granduncle to Alexander Pine; and dear friend to many. He will be missed by all who loved him, but we find comfort knowing he is reunited in heaven with his parents, and sister, Mary Ann.

Bob was affectionately known as “Big Foot” and loved spending time with his family and friends, as an officer with the Wellsboro Volunteer Fire Company, and as an Adjutant for the Wellsboro branch of the American Legion. He was also an active member of the American Tree Farm System and the Pennsylvania and New York Forestry Associations.

He and his great friend, Joseph Liptak, acquired acreage outside of Woodhull, N.Y., where they planted, cultivated and maintained the forest there for many years.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at St. James Episcopal Church, 215 S. Main St., Muncy, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with Rev. M. Peter Harer, officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in the Muncy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name can be made to the National Forest Foundation (https://www.nationalforests.org).

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com.