Robert Edward Cressman, Jr.

Robert Edward Cressman, Jr., 74 passed away in his Earl Township residence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the beloved husband of Diane Katherine (Lindenmuth) Cressman, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.

Born July 6, 1943, in Philadelphia, he was the eldest child of the late Robert Edward, Sr., and Mary Terese (Haviland) Cressman.

Bob was a 1961 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty Catholic High School, Philadelphia, and a graduate of LaSalle College, Philadelphia, where he earned an associate's degree in criminal justice.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years, and later served in the Air National Guard, 111th Police Squadron, Willow Grove.  He retired from the military after 20 years of service. 

Bob was employed as a police officer with the City of Philadelphia for 23 years and subsequently was employed by the Federal Government with Homeland Security for 15 years.

He was a private pilot who loved flying. He was a member of Cessna 150-152 Club; the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA); and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #5, Philadelphia.

Bob was an avid, though not talented, golfer; a voracious reader, especially of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels; and an early-American-history buff particularly fascinated by the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

He was a devout member of St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, Allentown.

He was a devoted father to his three children: Kathryn C., wife of Thomas J. LeSage of Skippack, Montgomery County; Robert M., husband of Karen M. Cressman of Exton, Chester County; and Susan R. Cressman, fiancée of Robert A. Janiczek, Jr. of Earl Township.  Bob was also a doting grandpa to Jason C. and Gwenyth C. LeSage and Nathan M. Cressman.

He will be sorely missed by his brother, James B. Cressman (widower of Linda) of Newark, DE, and Jim's son and daughter, and by his sister, Maryellen B. Cressman of Harleysville, Montgomery County.

Other survivors include his sister-in-law Barbara J. Lindenmuth and his nephew Patrick R. Lindenmuth of Harleysville; many other in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as his life-long friend, John P. Quinn of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England.

A Requiem Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605.  A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 in the church.  Burial will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, 510 W. Union Street, Allentown, PA 18101.

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes  & Crematory, Inc., Oley, is in charge of arrangements.  For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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