Robin D. Hart

  Robin D. Hart, 90 years old, of Seneca, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Robin was born February 4, 1934, the son of Robin D. Hart, Sr. and Helen C. Hart, in the family home in the Siverly section of Oil City.

  Robin graduated as class president from Oil City Senior High School in June 1952. He was named to the National Honor Society and participated in many extra-curricular activities.

  In 1953, during the Korean War, Robin and four of his friends joined the U.S. Navy. He was the last survivor of that group of five close buddies.  He was very proud of his Naval service and had deep respect and appreciation for our service men and women. He had a very special regard for our World War II veterans who he believed were indeed the greatest generation.

  In 1954 Robin married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Joanne Leasure.  They had the privilege of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in June, and she survives. Their children are Robin D. III (Kathy Kolaja) of Oil City, Todd A. (Margie) of Mays Mill, and Leeann H. McCullough (Dr. John) of Rockland.

  The Harts have seven grandchildren: Brandon, Stephen (Rachel), Joseph (Maddie Hepler), and Bethany Hart; Corey (Vanessa), Shawn, and Kyle McCullough. They also have five great-grandchildren: June Hart, and Lily, Nora, Jack and Lucy McCullough.

  Robin and Joanne enjoyed 27 winters in Sebring, Florida.

  Robin was very involved in numerous local civic activities. He was the long-term chairman of the Board of the Venango County Blind Association having served over 40 years in that role. He was instrumental in the merger of our local healthcare network with UPMC which resulted in the establishment of the local UPMC Northwest facility.

  Robin was a serial remodeler and never met a wall he didn’t think needed torn down or moved. He was an avid reader, and he especially enjoyed conversations with his grandchildren whom he said challenged and enlightened him intellectually.

  Robin’s first professional career employment was with John May & Company, a public accounting firm in Oil City. In 1964 he began his 25-year banking career as a trust tax accountant at Northwest Pennsylvania Bank & Trust Company. He retired from Mellon Bank North in 1989 as President and Chief Operating Officer.

  Upon his retirement from the bank Robin became the Executive Director of the Oil City Area Chamber of Commerce and of the Oil City Economic Development Corporation, finally retiring for good in 1994.

  The Harts owned the “Hart Effects” gift shop in Oil City and the “Hart Sounds” music store in Seneca.

  Surviving Robin are his siblings: Reverend David (Judy) Hart and Helen McClintock. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings: Martina Schwabenbauer, Rebecca Pertz, Mary Moyer, Clare Fritz, and Larry E. Hart.

  Visitation will be held Wednesday (Aug. 21) from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. in Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca.  Additional visitation will be held Thursday (Aug. 22) from 10-11 a.m. prior to the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. David Hart, Robin’s brother, officiating.  Interment will follow in Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry. 

  Memorial Contributions may be made to The Venango County Association for the Blind, P.O. Box 515, Seneca, PA  16346; or to a veteran’s association of your choosing.

  To express online condolences to Robin’s family, visit www.hilebest.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robin D. Hart, please visit our floral store.