Robert W. Wygant, 87, of 7 Vo-Tech Dr. Oil City, PA. , died Wednesday May 8, 2019 at UPMC-Hamot in Erie after a brief illness.
Born Sept. 16, 1931 in Erie, PA., he was the son of the late Robert R. & Irene C. English Wygant.
Mr Wygant moved to Oil City at age 2 and attended Oil City Schools graduating in 1950.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving from 1950 to 1954.
Bob worked at Sears before joining the Oil City Police Dept. in April of 1956. In 1960, he was promoted to Lieutenant, then Captain in 1970.
Bob attended numerous schools in police studies and graduated in 1972 from the FBI Academy.
He was sworn in as Chief of Police for the City of Oil City in 1974, retiring Sept. 18, 1981.
He then worked as project manager for the Oil City Housing Authority, retiring in Sept. 1996.
Bob was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed golfing, cross word puzzles and reading.
Bob was a member of the Oil City Elks Club where he had been past Exhalted Ruler.
On May 5, 1952 he was married to the former Donna L. O'Neil and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2006.
He is survived by four children and their spouses.
Dee Ellen Hartle of Pottsvillle, PA.
Robert P. Wygant & his wife Chris of Port Richey, FL
Debra L. Bennett & her husband Dale of Oil City
Julie A Winger & her husband LeRoy of Seneca
eight grandchildren
Missy Kanger & her husband Tom
Robert T. Wygant & his partner Misty
Michael Hartle & his wife Jennifer
Chaval Russell & her husband Chris
Dessie McElhaney & her husband Joe
Chad Miles & his wife Cassie
Samuel Bennett
Sophie Bennett
several great grandchildren also survive.
He is also survived by three sisters
Irene C. ”Ernie” Pardee of Oil City
Donna G. Guth of Oil City
Marilyn J. Aaron of NJ
and a sister-in-law Betty Wygant of Erie
He is also survived by many nieces, nephews cousins and special companion Phyllis “Spuddie” Nick of Oil City
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother Rea Wygant and a sister Lois Smith & her husband Jack
Friends will be received from 1:00P.M.-3:00 PM. Monday in the Reinsel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held in the Funeral Home at 3:00 P.M. with
Rev. Byron Myers, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church presiding.
Military Honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S.Honor Guard
Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to a charity of ones choice.
Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com
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