Robert Charles (Bob) Vaow, age 67, of 2321 Storey Lake Rd., Laceyville, PA., passed away to be with his Mom and Dad, unexpectedly, early Wednesday morning, January 25,2012 at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock, PA.
Bob was born in Kingston, PA. on Dec. 25,1944 the beloved son of the late Francis Harry and Grace King Vaow.
Bob spent most of his life in the Meshoppen and surrounding area. For many years, he was a self employed contractor, in the Meshoppen and Laceyville areas. For over 30 years, Bob was employed by Kintner Modular Homes, in Tunkhannock, retiring at the age of 65.
In his spare time, he enjoyed working around his farm and home. Bob also spent many hours and days helping his elderly friends and family, with home improvements and just helping them around their homes. Some of his most cherished memories were spent with his boys, riding four wheelers and fishing, on and near his farm, and the many family cookouts, and other family get-to-gethers. He loved singing and playing guitar at many functions, with the Meshoppen based group Blue Stone Road. Bob was also the caretaker, for the Artist Retreat near Transue, PA., called Soaring Gardens, where he would take care of the grounds, and made many repairs.
Surviving is his wife of 44 years, the former Holly J. Smith Vaow, who Bob married on July 21,1967. His children, Hilary Poepperling and Jason Fluke, of Harrisburg, PA.; Charles Robert Vaow, of Laceyville, PA.; and Burton Francis Vaow and LeaAnne Marshall, of Meshoppen, PA., his granddaughters, Ashley Sarnosky, of Lake Winola, PA.; Jenna Vaow, of Mehoopany, Pa. and a great-granddaughter, Meleena Sarnosky, of Lake Winola, PA. Bobby is also survived by his brother and his wife, Jack and Betty Lou Vaow, of Meshoppen, PA. and his sisters, Dora and her husband Raymond Oliver, of Hallstead, PA. and Fae Byers, of York, PA. He is also survived by his extended family of Marie Bordgenson; Donna and John Moyer; Bill Brenchley, Jim and Marcie Brenchley; Burton and Kathy Smith; Lewis and Sue Smith; Sharon Thorpe; Samuel and Marylou Smith; Lana and Sidney Davies; and Lori Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a two brothers, Glenn Brenchley and Kenneth Vaow.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Jan. 30,2012, at 11:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Homes, Main St., Meshoppen, PA. with Rev. Gary Myers, of the Meshoppen Biblical Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be in the Sunnyside Cemetery, in Tunkhannock PA. Family and friends may call at the funeral home, on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Soaring Gardens (Artist Retreat); in care of The Lerman Trust Funds, C/O Trudy Gerlach 6907 Wyalusing-New Albany Rd., Wyalusing, PA. 18853.