Bob (Robert) Allan Highhouse, 80, passed away Friday, October 13, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family and his loyal companion, Bubba. Bob was born on September 8, 1943, to James and Florence Ruhlman Highhouse in Warren, PA. He attended Warren Area High School and joined the US Navy in 1960. He served as an Aviation Boatswains Mate—Fuel Specialist. during Vietnam and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bob spent much of his time in the Navy on the U.S.S. F.D. Rosevelt Aircraft Carrier cruising the Mediterranean.
Bob attended VALE Technical institute in Blairsville, PA, and specialized in mechanics. He worked at DORCON, Sylvania, and National Fuel Gas, where he worked as a mechanic and gas regulator and measurement specialist. Bob retired after 32 years in 1999. He was also the owner/operator of R & B Highhouse Oil and Gas. He spent many days and nights going above and beyond to make sure people had heat in their homes. Those people became family over the years. Bob could be found making his rounds of Pleasant Township checking his wells every day with his co-pilot, Bubba, next to him. Bob was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was the strongest person we knew—even in his last days.
Bob loved the outdoors, and he passed that passion onto his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting. In his younger days, he enjoyed working on racecars surrounded by his friends and sharing some Pabst Blue Ribbon, spending Saturday nights at Stateline Speedway, drag racing his iconic 1964 GTO, and spending time at Richie’s Snack Bar. A His true passion was guns. He was a gun enthusiast and collector. He built, refinished, and repaired many guns over the years. He had a story for every single gun he owned. Bob enjoyed sharing those stories and talking about any type of gun to anyone that showed an interest. His greatest accomplishment was making lasting memories with his wife, Rita, and their grandchildren in Sesekinika, Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the NRA, NWTF, and Warren Eagles FOE 313.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Harrison Highhouse, whom he married on October 3, 1964. His parents, brother, Tim Highhouse, Step-brothers, Fred and Allen Skinner, Step-father, Hubert Skinner, Father-in-law, Richard Harrison. Sisters and Brothers-in-law: Mary Ann (Ted) Hughes, Patty (Lou) Cummings, Barb (Ronnie) Harrison, and Joan Harrison.
Bob was survived by four children: Whendy (Mike Scott), Jim (Jane) Highhouse, Marci (Ryan Barker), and Barbara (Chip Phillips) Highhouse. Seven grandchildren: Chaelynn (James) Dombeck, James (Bailey Reed) Highhouse, Ashley Barker (Ryan Ford), Adam Barker, Margia (Justin) Hansen, Emma (Colin) Beck, and Claire (Jared) Toter. Two great-granddaughters; Leighton and Ainslie Dombeck. His loyal companion, Bubba. A cousin, that was more like a brother, Virgil “Cousin Bill” (Carol) Ruhlman. The best friend a guy could ask for, Jack (Lynn) Roberts, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at St. John Lutheran Church, 200 Pleasant Drive, Warren, PA., with Rev. Jeffrey Ewing, Pastor of First Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery with Adam Barker, Ryan Barker, Ryan Ford, James Highhouse, John Johnson, and Mike Scott, serving as pallbearers. Full military honors will be held at the cemetery with members of the Clarendon/Sheffield and Warren American Legion Post 135 funeral honor guard and the U.S. Navy personnel.
Those wishing to place memorials may do so by donating money to a local high school trap league, so his love of shooting will live on. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com