Robert (Bob) Norman Hendershot

Robert (Bob) Norman Hendershot, 91, of Lower Allen Twp., died peacefully, July 14, 2022, at UPMC West Shore Hospital, Hampden Twp.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 8, 1931, Bob was the son of the late H. Norman and Sara E. (Lathers) Hendershot and brother to the late Carolyn H. Gette (Frank Gette). Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Verna M. (Wood) Hendershot.

Bob grew up in Philipsburg, PA with the memories and experiences of his beloved hometown never far from him. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War, which afforded him the opportunity to earn a B.A. in Political Science (1955) from the Pennsylvania State University on the GI Bill. While Bob was an undergraduate student at Penn State, he met the love of his life, Verna. Later Bob earned a Master’s in Public Administration (1976) from Penn State’s Harrisburg Campus followed by teaching in the graduate program.

Bob dedicated his career to public service. He worked for the PA Department of Education in the late 1950s and later served as Deputy and Secretary of Education in the late 1970s. In 1964, Bob was hired to help launch the Food Stamp Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC and later managed an agency office for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg, PA. Bob worked for the PA House of Representatives leadership as a researcher and, later, as a facility manager during the PA Capitol Complex expansion in the 1980s. Bob served on the PA Board of Education, successfully advocating for a senior graduation project in lieu of a graduation exit exam for public-school students.

For retirement, Bob and Verna purchased a farm in Perry County where they enjoyed many happy times with family and friends. They enjoyed listening to jazz concerts in the Central PA area, volunteering at the Downtown Daily Bread, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

Bob is survived by his son, Robert N. Hendershot II and his wife, Bonnie S. Hendershot of Eureka, MO; his daughter, Cynthia H. Carpenter and her husband, Stephen B. Carpenter of State College; four grandchildren, Robert A. Hendershot, Christina A. Carpenter Ball (Jeremy Ball), Katherine W. Carpenter and Sara E. Hendershot (Stephen Scherer); two great grandchildren, Carson, and Jacob.

Family and friends will be received from 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Christ Presbyterian Church, Camp Hill, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, community of choice; Central PA Friends of Jazz; or a charitable organization of choice. For additional information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.