Robert W. Donehower

Robert W. Donehower, 96, of 56 South Fifth St., a prominent citizen and benefactor of Lewisburg and Union County, died Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at his home.

He was born June 10, 1918 in Lewisburg, a son of the late William L. Donehower, Sr. and Marian Housel Donehower.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, the former Lucy E. Eisenhauer.

A 1936 graduate of Lewisburg High School and a 1937 graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Mr. Donehower earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University in 1942.  He served stateside in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Army Corps of Engineers.

In 1945, Mr. Donehower joined his father and brother in operating the W.L. Donehower sporting goods store on Market Street, Lewisburg.  Mr. Donehower owned the store solely from 1971 until 1981, when the business and building were sold.  The original Donehower store, offering general merchandise, was established in 1877 by Henry Franklin Donehower, a Civil War veteran.

Mr. Donehower was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg where he served as a Sunday School Superintendent, a Trustee and Elder.  He was a member and former president of the Lewisburg Rotary Club, where his father was a charter member and the first president.  From 1980 to 1988 he served two terms as a Union County Commissioner.  Mr. Donehower also served as a Director for the former Lewisburg Trust and Safe Company from 1950 to 1991, until its merger with Commonwealth Bank of Williamsport, later Sovereign Bank, now known as Santander.  He was a member and the oldest living past Master of the F & AM Charity Lodge #144 of Lewisburg; a 50 year member of the Williamsport Consistory; the Kratzer-Dull American Legion Post 182, Lewisburg; a life member of the William Cameron Engine Company, Lewisburg; the Winfield Camp #352 of the Patriotic Sons of America; the Lewisburg Chamber of Commerce and the Lewisburg Merchants Council; Chairman of the Union County Veterans Foundation.  He was also a member of the Consumer Advisory Council of Capital Blue Cross of Harrisburg, and participated in the Union-Snyder Counties Foster Grandparents program.  Additionally, Mr. Donehower served on the board of the Public Library for Union County where he was involved in fund raising for its new building on Reitz Boulevard.

Mr. Donehower was a beloved member of the Lewisburg community.  As a philanthropist, he supported many local charities and non-profit organizations.  In 1999, he provided a gift for renovations of the former Lewisburg train station on South Fifth Street.  The building was named the “Robert & Lucy Donehower Government Center” and provides space for borough offices and services.  In 2005, Mr. Donehower’s second gift to Evangelical Community Hospital provided for the Donehower Center, named in memory of his wife, Lucy Eisenhauer Donehower, and his parents, William and Marian Donehower.  The center offers new and expanded services for those in need of cancer treatment.

In 2012, Mr. Donehower again generously contributed to the Evangelical Hospital surgical and cardiovascular expansion project which provided eight new operating rooms and a cardiovascular suite.  The facility entrance is named the Donehower-Eisenhauer Pavilion.

Surviving are his  brother, William L. Donehower, Jr., of North Palm Beach, FL; his  sister, Carolyn F. Baldwin, of Arlington, VA; two nieces, Dr. Nancy L. Donehower, of Portland, OR and Pamela J. Medina, of Arlington, VA; one nephew, Dr. Bruce T. Donehower and his wife Marion, of Fair Oaks, CA;  three grandnephews: Jonathan K. Donehower and his wife, Marcelle, of Portland, OR, Michael E. and Jordan C. Medina, of Arlington, VA and one grandniece, Anna D. Conway and her husband Michael Conway, of Sacramento, CA.

Preceding him in death was his dear wife, Lucy; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Tice Donehower and Ethel Eisenhauer.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 18 Market St., Lewisburg with his pastor, the Rev. James C. King, officiating.   A gathering of family and friends will follow the service in the Great Hall at the church.

Interment will be held privately in the Lewisburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: First Presbyterian Church, 18 Market St., Lewisburg, PA 17837 or Evangelical Community Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or the Public Library for Union County, 255 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg, PA 17837.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St. Lewisburg.