Smethport, PA - Robert Adam Digel Jr., 84, died Thursday, November 24, 2016 following a brief illness.

The son of Robert and Mirabel (Hamlin) Digel, Bob was a lifelong resident of Smethport. He loved the McKean County countryside, particularly Arnott Hollow where he rebuilt his family's camp, hunted, and enjoyed his bird dogs. Bob enjoyed a long, active and happy retirement, where he and Shirley traveled cross-country in their motorhome to Green Valley, Arizona. In the spring and summer, he returned to the Thousand Islands in Upstate New York to his beloved "River" and his antique wooden boat on Round Island. These special places provided the setting where he fostered an enduring love for his legacy: his children and grandchildren.

After graduating from Smethport High School in 1950, Bob attended Allegheny College, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Economics and was a member of Air Force ROTC. He met his wife Shirley at Allegheny and they married in June, 1954. Following college Bob spent three years in active duty, where he piloted and maintained B-25's. Returning to Smethport, Bob managed family interests in oil and gas production, the local water utility and in later years, was Chairman of Hamlin Bank and Trust Company. He served on the Smethport Board of Education, the Bradford Hospital Board and sang in his church choir all of his adult life. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Coudersport Consistory and the Member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Local #388.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Shirley (Jones) Digel; his three sons, Jeffrey, Martin and Peter and his daughter Julia Kopp; their spouses, Jane, Deborah, Pamela and Brian; his grandchildren, Samuel, Benjamin, Jacob, Abigail, Hilary, Casey, Megan, and Tyler, who predeceased him; his siblings Anne D. Potter and Mirabel D. Sweet; his sister Hannah D. Potter and brother Howard E. Digel predeceased him.

A funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Smethport on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Hamlin Memorial Library of Smethport, 123 South Mechanic Street, P.O. Box 422, Smethport, PA 16749 (814) 887-9262, [email protected] or the United Methodist Church of Smethport, 601 W King St, Smethport, PA 16749, (814) 887-2455.