Obituary for Robert Kenneth Blake
Robert Kenneth Blake was born April 22, 1952 in Leechburg, Pennsylvania. He grew up in that little borough with big hills, and in 1971 graduated from Leechburg High School. Following graduation, he briefly operated the Corner Market in Leechburg and tended bar at the Kittanning Country Club. In 1984 he moved to Chantilly, Virginia, residing at 4201 Lees Corner Road and began working as a Data Entry Specialist at the Naval Sea Systems Command, Department of the Navy, in Crystal City, Virginia. Following his move to 9652 Manassas Forge Drive in Manassas, Virginia in 1993, he eventually retired in 1999 due to complicated medical issues.
Robert was an avid sports enthusiast of all things Pittsburgh. His connection with their sports brought him such joy, from the "We Are Family" era of Pirates, Steelers Steel Curtain defense, terrible towel and "One for the Thumb", to his Penguins team, Robert stuck by his teams through the lean years. His joy was at its height when he could share his love of sports with his family and friends, and he developed new passions for college sports and NASCAR so he could cheer alongside his nieces and nephews.
His transportation was a 16-passenger bus that was painted black and covered with every sports logo of the Pittsburgh teams and players he followed. With it, he traveled to baseball, football and hockey sporting events across Washington, DC rooting on his visiting Pittsburgh teams and parading his team colors on his black and gold wheelchair festooned with his team logos. Dover, Delaware and Richmond, Virginia found his bus in the parking lots for NASCAR season.
When he was not engrossed in sports, Robert was wedded to the various annual holidays. He planned all year for Christmas through his favorite mail order website, and adored July 4th fireworks and hot dogs, Halloween Trick or Treat and Thanksgiving football. During any opportunity to celebrate, he gave each holiday a unique spin in his own special way.
Robert embodied the word "generosity". He was always concerned with making others feel special, loved and most of all, appreciated. His generosity of spirit was easily on par with the icon of his favorite holiday, Kris Kringle. His family and friends will long remember that generosity, alongside his unique and always joyful laugh, which he shared often. Robert shared freely but his greatest gift was the time and interest he took in the lives of others. He really mastered the art of active listening and could often be found engaged with a family member or friend who just needed to be heard.
Robert died June 9, 2020 at Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, Virginia. He left us to join loved ones who went before him; parents, Ralph and Irene Simko Blake; brother, Ralph Blake, Jr, and sister, Bonnie Blake Lauber.
Robert leaves behind loved ones whose lives are enriched by his 68 years on this earth including his sister, Judy Baldwin; brother-in-laws, Jim Baldwin and Bob Lauber; sister-in-law, Cathy Blake; nephew, Brian Lauber and Claudia Vercellotti; nephew, Brandon Baldwin; Nieces, Dina Blake, Chrissy Blake, Amy Lauber-Basham and her husband, Mike and Melissa Blake Hubert and her husband, Craig. Also surviving are great nieces and nephews, Ashton Baldwin, Matt Conklin, Jared Baldwin, Kristen Baldwin, Jessica Baldwin and Amy Young.
Interment will take place at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Leechburg, Pennsylvania at a later date.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com
Robert was an avid sports enthusiast of all things Pittsburgh. His connection with their sports brought him such joy, from the "We Are Family" era of Pirates, Steelers Steel Curtain defense, terrible towel and "One for the Thumb", to his Penguins team, Robert stuck by his teams through the lean years. His joy was at its height when he could share his love of sports with his family and friends, and he developed new passions for college sports and NASCAR so he could cheer alongside his nieces and nephews.
His transportation was a 16-passenger bus that was painted black and covered with every sports logo of the Pittsburgh teams and players he followed. With it, he traveled to baseball, football and hockey sporting events across Washington, DC rooting on his visiting Pittsburgh teams and parading his team colors on his black and gold wheelchair festooned with his team logos. Dover, Delaware and Richmond, Virginia found his bus in the parking lots for NASCAR season.
When he was not engrossed in sports, Robert was wedded to the various annual holidays. He planned all year for Christmas through his favorite mail order website, and adored July 4th fireworks and hot dogs, Halloween Trick or Treat and Thanksgiving football. During any opportunity to celebrate, he gave each holiday a unique spin in his own special way.
Robert embodied the word "generosity". He was always concerned with making others feel special, loved and most of all, appreciated. His generosity of spirit was easily on par with the icon of his favorite holiday, Kris Kringle. His family and friends will long remember that generosity, alongside his unique and always joyful laugh, which he shared often. Robert shared freely but his greatest gift was the time and interest he took in the lives of others. He really mastered the art of active listening and could often be found engaged with a family member or friend who just needed to be heard.
Robert died June 9, 2020 at Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, Virginia. He left us to join loved ones who went before him; parents, Ralph and Irene Simko Blake; brother, Ralph Blake, Jr, and sister, Bonnie Blake Lauber.
Robert leaves behind loved ones whose lives are enriched by his 68 years on this earth including his sister, Judy Baldwin; brother-in-laws, Jim Baldwin and Bob Lauber; sister-in-law, Cathy Blake; nephew, Brian Lauber and Claudia Vercellotti; nephew, Brandon Baldwin; Nieces, Dina Blake, Chrissy Blake, Amy Lauber-Basham and her husband, Mike and Melissa Blake Hubert and her husband, Craig. Also surviving are great nieces and nephews, Ashton Baldwin, Matt Conklin, Jared Baldwin, Kristen Baldwin, Jessica Baldwin and Amy Young.
Interment will take place at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Leechburg, Pennsylvania at a later date.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com