Obituary of L. Robert Kimball

KIMBALL – L. Robert, 89 of Ebensburg, passed away January 11, 2013 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born March 6, 1923 in Ebensburg, son of the late Leo C. and Ursula (Myers) Kimball. The last surviving member of his immediate family, he is preceded in death by his brothers John R. and William Kimball and his sister Kathryn J. “Susie” Dandrea-Long. A humble man of accomplishment, he often said that his family was his best accomplishment. He will be sadly missed by the love of his life, his wife, Mary Louise (McNelis) Kimball, to whom he was married almost 66 years, and children: John (Sheila) Kimball; Ann (Csaba) Balazs; Kitty Kimball Gleason; R. Jeffrey (Debbi) Kimball; Susie (Leo) McCafferty; Sandy (Thomas) Giotto; Patty (Jeff) Kendall; Greta (Art) Rooney; and Mary Jo (Andy) Hopton. Also survived by 26 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mr. Kimball retired in 2011 as President/CEO of L. Robert Kimball and Associates, the company he founded in 1953. He started his career in Ebensburg as a two-person surveying and civil engineering firm and grew it to its present status as an employer of as many as 600 employees and 16 offices. A graduate and recipient of the Distinquished Alumnus Award at the Pennsylvania State University and a registered engineer in seven states, Mr Kimball was also a highly decorated war hero, having served as an Air Force Captain in World War II. The recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Clusters and the Croiz de Guerre (France’s highest military award). He also served as a Major in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. Mr. Kimball had been awarded a myriad of philanthropic, civic, professional, and social awards and held memberships in many civic organizations. He was also an inspired artist having painted many family portraits and landscapes of his beautiful second home “Klein Immergrun” which was often the site of many creative endeavors and family celebrations. A member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, where a Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Msgr. Arnold L. Gaus, celebrant. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Name Church. Entombment at Holy Name Mausoleum. In lieu of other memorials, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the charity of your choice.