Robert Francis Askey
Fayette City
Robert Francis Askey, 71, died Monday, February 17, 2025, following a brief illness, surrounded by his immediate family. Bob – or Bine to his old friends, or Bobby to his family and oldest friends – will be fondly remembered with love and laughter.
He was an avid fisher and hiker, all the better if a pathway was nonexistent. To Bob, rules were suggestions at best, usually scorned outright; they applied to anyone but him.
He was an Ohiopyle addict, but also enjoyed the rivers closest to home in his birch-bark canoe; a grower of sunflowers (you probably saw them towering over the mailbox) and tomatoes, which he lined up on the porch railing in the summer. He was a firm believer in the redemptive power of chance; he could often be found with a nickel in one hand, a scratch-off lottery ticket in the other. A keeper of talismans, he wore a gold cross around his neck, wore the same hat, drank from the same mug, day after day. Coffee was a beverage to be consumed regardless of the hour of the day. Hoagies were best when purchased from a gas station. Ditto sunglasses.
A passionate Pittsburgh sports fan, Steelers most of all, he made sure to wear one of his thousands of Steelers shirts when traveling out of state so that people knew where he stood.
He was a devoted son; caring brother; loving husband to the woman he’d been with since junior high, with whom he recently celebrated 45 years of marriage; supportive father; affectionate uncle; and excited grandfather.
He had a rakish smile, was a big laugher, and an appreciator of the mystery of existence; he was known to read plenty of books about the paranormal. He was a lover of all dogs, but most especially Rex and Fritz and Buster. He lived in the country, but was held by the community that surrounded him; he’d frequently be seen on his front porch, waving at his friends coming in and out of Newell.
His seat at the kitchen table was next to the microwave, which he was known to use even in the middle of a meal.
He was a practical joker, fireworks lighter, pot-stirrer, and goofball. He said, “I love you,” to his family every time he hung up the phone.
He understood that if something was yours, you stood by it. He could be heard saying, “There ain’t nothing wrong with that,” in reference to, say, a toaster with only one working heating element, or a pair of shoes whose soles had been glued and glued again.
For many years he worked a job that required him to drive all over southwestern Pennsylvania, which meant he always knew the best shortcuts, and could not go anywhere without someone saying, “Hey, Bob!”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothea Askey; and his brother, Don Askey.
He is survived by his wife, Sherry; his son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Jen Askey; his son and daughter-in-law, Derek and Madelaine Askey; his grandson, Robert Montgomery Askey, named after him; his sister and brother-in- law, Dianne and Michael Stonfer; his nephew, Michael and wife Gina Stonfer; his niece, Denice and husband Brian Zelmore; his niece, Susan Ballard; and his sister-in-law Teri and husband George Earley.
A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 23, in BLAIR-LOWTHER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY in Perryopolis, where the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 24.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at blair-lowther.com.
If you meet someone who knew Bob, they’ll have a story for you. Ask them to tell it. When they finish it, ask for another. They’ll have one of those, too.