Robert Harvey Egolf, 81, of Forks Township, PA passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021. Bob was born in Allentown, PA the son of the late Harvey and Althea (Bernhard) Egolf. A 1957 graduate of Allen High School, Bob received a Bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College, followed by a Master’s degree and PhD from Lehigh University. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he worked at The Morning Call as a compositor. After the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he was employed by the Allentown School District, teaching English at his alma mater. In addition, Bob served as the English Department chair at Allen, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and later the English Language Arts curriculum coordinator for the Allentown School District. He was also an adjunct professor at Muhlenberg and Lehigh. Passionate about teaching, Bob loved working with students.
After his retirement, he served on the Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board and later was elected as Forks Township Supervisor for two terms and was the secretary treasurer for a number of years. He was a member of the Lehigh County Historical Society, the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Forks Township Historical Society and was the President for the Bushkill Stream Conservancy. Bob enjoyed volunteering at the Sigal Museum and at the National Museum of Industrial History where he helped to organize a special printing exhibit. He was a member of Forks UCC Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, music, theater, and reading, but most of all spending time with his family.
Bob is survived by his wife, Brenda (Petersen) Egolf, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; children Robert S. Egolf and Sue Burns (husband Drew); grandchildren Andy and Maggie Burns; nephews Chris and Jon Kohl; and sister-in-law Marjory Petersen. Bob was predeceased by his sister Jean Kohl, brother-in-law Charles Kohl, and daughter-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Egolf.
Services will be private at this time; however, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Moravian Hall Square for their wonderful services.
Chris and Jody Hoffman
February 14, 2021 at 9:08 am
Mrs Egolf, Sue, Drew, Andy, Maggie and family-
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your Dad was such a kind and true gentleman, he will be missed. Heaven has received a new member, Mr. Egolf Rest In Peace.
Chris and Jody Hoffman
Bruce Holmes
February 14, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Brenda:
I was very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He added so much to The Forks Township Historical Society and to Forks Township. He will be missed.
Stephen Kramer
February 14, 2021 at 3:06 pm
Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Egolf. It was a pleasure to work for him in Forks Township. Our families thoughts and prayers are with your as well.
Amy Charles
February 15, 2021 at 7:55 pm
I am so terribly sorry to hear of Dr. Egolf’s death. He was far and away the best, happiest English teacher I had at Allen, and the only one who was a serious reader. Though to this day I’m damned if I know why he gave us _The Reivers_ (which I still have)(it might be his copy)(or maybe it’s Allen’s). What a weird pick. I appreciate too his valiant efforts at teaching us to diagram sentences, which I did my best to ignore while reading things he hadn’t assigned. Of this he was tolerant. Years later I tried teaching sentence-diagramming to a bunch of undergraduates, succeeded only in fascinating my 11-year-old daughter, and found we were better off with cold readings of badly-punctuated sentences. So it goes.
He gave more than the next ten guys. My condolences.
Jennifer Nolder
February 15, 2021 at 9:08 pm
My prayers and condolences to the Egolf family. I had Dr. Egolf as my English teacher at Allen, and now that I have my own kids, I always wonder if their teachers are up to the same standard. Unfortunately, I think not. He truly did have a joyful demeanor, and his passion for teaching was inspirational. I have not seen him since the early 80’s, but my memories of that time remain strong. He will be missed.
Mark Scoblionko
February 16, 2021 at 7:39 am
Mark, Deena and Andrew Scoblionko express most sincere condolences on Bob’s passing. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend, with a deeply sensitive and compassionate soul. All those who knew him were deeply touched by his presence and are grateful for being able to share his life.
Vicki wax
February 16, 2021 at 7:40 am
Dr. Egolf was a true gift to the students that were blessed to be in his classes at Allen High School. He taught them at college level giving them a love of learning. He had a great sense of humor too that kept his students fully engaged.
May his memory be a blessing.
David DeRemer
February 16, 2021 at 8:34 am
Bob taught me how to write a term paper in his English class at Allen. That launched a college and professional path in which I have written hundreds of sermons, reports and grants. I was thankful that several years ago I was able to thank Bob in person for what he taught me. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Ron Spier
February 16, 2021 at 10:54 am
Brenda, Sue, and Rob,
I am so sorry to read about Bob’s passing. May love, peace, and understanding be present in each of your lives as God works His plan in all of our lives. I remember the many laughs we all shared together.
Ron Spier
Robert Fisher
February 16, 2021 at 10:55 am
Bob Egolf, a life and a career well-lived. Sincerely, Bob Fisher AHS Social Studies
Alan W Runfeldt
February 16, 2021 at 12:37 pm
I met Bob a few years ago – as we demonstrated Letterpress Printing at the National Museum of Industrial history in Bethlehem. We demonstrated old-style printing for the public visitors to the museum.
It was good to meet and work with Bob. He got a bit of a head start on me, but we came together as old printers and enjoyed working together.
Loosing Bob now adds to the list of “old printers” who are sadly passing away. However, with his help and support, new printers are coming along to take up the slack. I just hope that these new folks will recall the old printers who have continued to pass on the tips, trickets and skilles of this old craft.
Blessings to Bob and his family.
Alan – old printer near Frenchtown, NJ
John Baker
February 16, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Bob and i will high school class mates. I was in the life insurance business for forty three years. Bob was my first client. July- 1961. I used to see Bob at our high school reunions and class picnics. Great guy. He will be missed.
Chuck Chapman
February 16, 2021 at 6:13 pm
I met Bob when he served on the board of supervisors in Forks Township. He was always a gentleman and all interactions with him were a pleasure. He was always an advocate for our Volunteer Fire Company and as fire chief I appreciated his support. I got special assistance when rewriting our department Standard Operations Guidelines (SOGs) and experienced his red pen corrections to our SOGs. Those corrections made it a better document. You will be missed.
Lesley Ann Morrow
February 16, 2021 at 11:04 pm
Egolf Family, Dr. Bob was a treasure to me.
I spent most of my teaching career in Room 222 across the hall from the English Office where Bob was holed away reading student papers. Whenever I heard something interesting ( funny or outrageous), I would run across the hall and share it with him. He was a real joy and a true professional. I feel blessed to have known him.
Mark Fatzinger
February 17, 2021 at 9:39 am
I had the pleasure of having Dr. Egolf for both 10th grade and 12th grade English. He very patiently and graciously allowed me to frequent his office after school to talk about books and college plans. I also loved the privilege of studying Faulkner under him. I myself teach ELA now. I think of him often and am thankful for the influence he has had on my life.
Sharon Friedman
February 17, 2021 at 11:35 am
I so enjoyed Bob’s company when Brenda and I were working together on a research project at their house. He had a keen sense of humor and was so helpful to us in many ways. I have fond memories of him and Brenda. Ken’s and my deepest sympathies.
Joelle Slegal Strona
February 17, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Dear Sue and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Your father was a dedicated teacher who truly cared for his students. I have fond memories of him not only as a teacher but also as a caring father to you and your brother. May your memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Jonas Ewing
February 17, 2021 at 9:33 pm
I was a fortunate student of Mr. Egolf at Allen H.S. in the early 1980’s. He was an astounding educator. I still recall him bringing Shakespeare to life for me…not an easy feat to do with a teenager. He was always so zealous with his teaching…being animated in his instruction…walking between the rows and aisles…at times sitting up on an empty desks and shouting his insightful literary lines, transferring his love of English literature to his students. His calm and mild manner was so wonderful..,always friendly with the student body. I loved the school period that I was able to be in his classroom and presence. My deepest condolences to his family. What a wonderful educator…I am all the better from having his beautiful influence in my HS life. God bless.
Tony DeFiore
February 18, 2021 at 9:34 am
My deepest condolences to all especially Robbie my classmate 1982 and friend. Your Dad as you know was the best! He was friends with both my mom and dad of the Class of 1957 too which believe me was no small feat! 🤣 I bumped into him at Muhlenberg College when I was getting my teaching certificate at the ripe old age of 43!
Immediately, he was recruiting me to teach at Allen! The highest compliment. He’s in God’s hands now as the great existentialist and metaphysician that I believe he was. Amen 🙏😇🙏
Lillian and Chris Ask
February 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Lillian and I were deeply saddened to read about Bob’s passing. I first met Bob in spring of 1970 at Allen High School where I was student teaching under the direction of Ruth Roth. Her office was on the first floor main, and it was visited routinely by the English Department staff. I quickly recognized Bob as the same type of teacher who encouraged me as a high school senior to consider a teaching career–a gentleman deeply devoted to his students and a scholarly approach to teaching English. My career took me to South Mountain Junior High School for ten years, but I
stayed in touch with Bob through district meetings and common graduate courses we shared at Lehigh University. How we loved Hemingway and Joyce! We reunited at Allen in 1980 where I spent the rest of my career. With Bob as a colleague, department chair, and district curriculum coordinator, those years were the best. He never wavered from the man I met as a student teacher. As department chair he was tireless in his role, whether it was a kind word if you were down, finding you a set of books you needed for class, or convincing the principal that a certain field trip was worth every penny. The comments I have read online by some of Bob’s former students are something for which every teacher yearns. We hope that we have influenced them to model some aspect of their lives after us. Clearly, Bob achieved this, and it is a tribute to him as a husband, father, and teacher.
I think Bob would appreciate this quote: “Therefore, send not to know/ For whom the bell tolls,/ It tolls for thee.” Thank you, Bob, for everything you did for all of us. We mourn your passing, but are forever raised up by our fond memories of you.
Jean Russo
February 20, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Dear Brenda, I was so sorry to read about Bob’s death. It is such a testament to your love that you were married for 59 years. My condolences to Robbie and to Sue and her family. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jon Dubbs
February 26, 2021 at 9:46 am
Brenda, Robbie and Susie,
The Dubbs Family is so saddened by the passing of Bob. Although we lost touch with each others families, some years ago when we moved, the Dubbs family has known the Egolf clan since I was a little boy.
My dad and Harvey were friends from the days he worked at Deiley’s market and then our family ties truly grew when we lived across Broad street from one another for a few years. Those were wonderful years and we were so thankful for the friendships that Katy and Megan had with the Egolfs, particularly with Susie. Those were fun days. I have shared the news about Bob with the girls.
I wish I had known about Bob being at Moravian Hall because I would have tried to visit with him. And sorry I didn’t run into him at a LV Historical Society meeting.
I shall send a remembrance donation to Muhlenberg in memory of Bob. And I do hope you will notify me when you plan to have Service for Bob.
I would enjoy seeing all of you again and I’ll see if Katy & Megan are available to join us. It’s funny that as I look at the obit photo of Bob, I can still hear his voice
and see his endless smile. Our very best wishes for all of you.
Jon Dubbs 484 239-0954
(484)239-0954
Megan Dubbs Leddy
March 5, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Dear Susie and Robbie,
My dad, Jon Dubbs, recently shared with me your father’s obituary and his smiling photo immediately warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Growing up across the street from your kind and loving family was such a joy. My memories of our childhood on Broad Street are filled with laughter, comfort, happiness and safety. I often visit Allentown and ritually drive down the alleys behind our homes…hopscotch, wild blackberries, ghost in the graveyard, tag, birthday parties, Susie patiently babysitting us, and always knowing that we were surrounded by loving families.
Your father played a wonderful part in all of those memories by always welcoming Katy and I with a kind-hearted smile. Even after we moved from Broad Street, your father’s incredible warmth, guidance and sincerity followed us to Allen High School.
The passing of an truly wonderful human being always leaves us wishing we had kept better in touch over the years. I offer you and your family all the best at this difficult time and hope these few memories will warm your hearts as much as your father did ours.
With love and condolences,
Megan Dubbs Leddy