Robert Eugene Gedney, 72, of Macungie, passed away peacefully in his home on October 21, 2008, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Mary B. (Broadbent) Gedney, with whom he celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in September. Bob was the son of the late Eugene V. Gedney and Viola B. (Buchanan) Gedney Failmezger. Born on July 10, 1936, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., Bob was known for his friendship, sense of humor and dedication to those less fortunate. He graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 1954, then attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, from 1954 to 1958, where he was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity. He served his country honorably during peacetime as a Sergeant in the Army Reserve from 1958 to 1964. First coming to the Lehigh Valley as a sales representative for Warnaco Inc., Bob went on to be a territory manager for 13 years for Industrial Lift Truck Company. In 1980, he founded and was president of Toyota Industrial Lift Truck Company, growing the business to be the top industrial lift truck company in the region and earning numerous national awards for its operations. After selling the business in 1996, Bob continued as the general manager of TILT for seven more years before retiring in 2003. Bob believed in the adage of leaving the world a better place than when you find it and actively volunteered in many community and civic organizations. He served for 20 years on the board of directors of the American Red Cross, where he played a leading role in merging the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton chapters into one valley-wide organization. For the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, he was chairman of the capital campaign that raised nearly $1 million to purchase the current chapter headquarters. Bob spent many years on the executive and development committees of this organization and started the Clara Barton Society on the local level which has raised thousands of dollars for the local Red Cross chapter. At the time of his death, Bob was on the advisory board of Second Harvest Food Bank, where he co-founded the Cornucopia Society to raise money for this worthwhile organization. On October 11 at the Second Harvest Annual Empty Bowls Feast of Understanding, Bobs many years of valued and dedicated community service and his commitment to improving the lives of others were recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Congress office of the Honorable Charles Dent and the State of Pennsylvanias Senator Patrick M. Browne. In addition, Second Harvest honored Bob by naming a section of the distribution center in his memory. Bob had been a volunteer fire fighter for 10 years with Western Salisbury Fire Company, where he served two years as president and four years as director. Bob was a member of the Leonard Pool Society, Allentown Symphony Society and the Pacesetters Club of the United Way. He was a member and former Governor of Lehigh Country Club, a member of Emmaus Mercantile Club, and a member and former elder of Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus. He was the best Dad in the whole wide world. Survivors: Devoted wife and best friend, Mary; daughter, Elizabeth G., wife of D. Bradley Mitchell, and son, James A. and his wife Gwyn S., all of Allentown; five grandchildren, Kathryn, Margaret and Elizabeth Mitchell, John and Caroline Gedney; beloved dog, Lucy. He was predeceased by a sister, Jane, and a brother, John Jack Gedney. Services: A service celebrating Roberts life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, at First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown. Family and friends are invited to call 7-9 p.m. Monday, October 27, in J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th and Hamilton streets, Allentown, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to Second Harvest Food Bank, 2045 Harvest Way, Allentown, PA 18104.
 

Published in the Morning Call on 10/23/2008