Robert W. Franchek

Robert William Franchek, age 66, of Oakdale, PA, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday afternoon, May 15, 2025.  Bob was born on August 17, 1958, in Sewickley, PA, son to the late Melva Jean (Lipscomb) and Albert “Wilbert” Franchek.  Bob is survived by his wife, Michelle Anne (Tatro) Franchek, whom he married on July 3, 1982; his two children, Robert Jason “RJ” (Amanda) Franchek and Jesse Rae (Tony) Timulak; his brothers, Michael (Pamela), Richard (Debra), and Jeffrey; many nieces and nephews; and Bob’s best buddies, Ling Ling, Mona, and Mocha, his pet friends that he adored.  In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Weber.

Bob (or Pappy, as he was affectionately called by his children), was a 1977 graduate of West Allegheny High School where he played linebacker and running back for the varsity football team.  On the field, he was known as The Kamikaze Kid because of the way he’d put his head down and push through the line.  Classmates may also remember Bob’s absolutely killer ‘fro.

Bob worked for three decades as an over-the-road truck driver and, as a result, had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of roads near and far.  You could call him completely lost from pretty much anywhere in the country and, somehow, he’d be able to tell you how to get to where you wanted to be.  Most recently, Bob worked as a driver for Chartwell and thrived in the position.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, archery, camping, hunting, and taking long walks on local trails.  He was a die-hard Steelers fan and lover of pets.  But his true passion was BS’ing with folks whenever and wherever he could.  Whether it was gabbing with The Gang at Sil’s in Oakdale over coffee every morning or chatting up fellow fisherman at the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, Bob always had the scoop.

Family to receive friends for a Memorial Gathering on Friday, May 30, 2025, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., at HERRICK COMPASSIONATE FUNERAL SERVICE, PC, Edward M. Herrick, Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Road, North Fayette Township, Imperial, PA, (724) 695-7332.  Bob liked to be comfortable and would want for his family and friends to be, too.  Dress is casual.  It is respectfully requested that donations in Bob’s memory be sent to Neshannock Trout Unlimited, Chapter #216, P. O. Box 1362, Hermitage, PA, 16148, https://neshannock-tu.org/donate.html.

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