Robert Estep

Robert (Bob) Estep, 84, died March 11 surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Ethel (Perko) Estep; his sons Gregory (Char) Estep, Christopher (Robin) Estep and Matthew (Jeanne) Estep, and daughters Roberta (Eddie) Watana, Carol Simek, and Rita (Keith) Barney. He was the devoted grandfather to Damita (Kevin) Malinowski, Brittney Greene, Lilly, Ryan and Patrick Staudt, Megan and Alex Bauer, Alexander (Laura Alverez) Papagno, Christina Papagno, Emma Watana, John Joseph, Peter, Andrew and Anna Simek, Matthew, Elisabeth, and Katherine Estep, Meghan (Kyle) Hanlon, Brandon Leary, Zachary (Jessica) Barney, Allison (Mack) Loyd, and Hannah (Landry) Jarvis and great grandfather to Cameron Malinowski, Phoenix, Claire and Ashlynn Barney, Column Jarvis, and Weston Loyd. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Joseph Front of Wheeling, WV and Susan Perko of Logan, OH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Clement and Emma (Frohnapfel) Estep, he was predeceased by his sisters: Ginny Estep, Rita (Thomas) Nuzum, Eleanor (Joseph) Front, and Sister Eulalia Estep; his brothers: Julian (Jane) and Thomas (Julie) Estep; his brothers-in-law John (Dolly) Perko, David Perko, and sister-in-law Rose Mary (John) Fillon. Born and raised in Elm Grove, West Virginia he became a longtime resident of Vestal, NY. In his early years, Bob would help sell the Saturday Evening Post and the Ladies Home Journal to the Steel Workers and Coal Miners in Elm Grove as a way to add to the household earnings. After graduating from Central Catholic High School, Wheeling, West Virginia in 1950, he entered the U.S. Navy and reached the rank of Petty Officer as a Radioman, stationed primarily in Alaska and Puerto Rico. After he was honorably discharged he attended West Liberty College studying Business Administration until he joined the Columbia Gas Company (NYSEG) working in marketing and gas utilization. His career affiliations included the National Association of Home Builders in which he was recognized as a lifetime member and made many contributions locally and nationally. He and his wife, Ethel transferred to Vestal, NY in 1962 where he joined Our Lady Sorrows parish, and remained there and raised their family for the rest of his life. He was very active in the OLS parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus throughout his lifetime and he loved all of his parish family. Bob had a passion for hunting and fishing and spent countless hours with his family and friends hunting deer and small game, and fishing the many lakes, rivers and streams in the Southern Tier. After all the hunting and fishing was over, he could be found sitting with his loved ones and sharing stories about outings of the past or “the one that got away.” He also held a passion for his flower gardens and feeding the wild birds in his back yard, creating a sanctuary that was the envy of his friends and neighbors. The family wishes to thank the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for the special comfort and care given to Bob in his final hours. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Our Lady Sorrows Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Edgar M. Holihan Council 4746, P.O. Box 326, Vestal, New York 13851-0326.

Calling hours will be held at Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, NY on Monday, March 14 from 4-7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, March 15 at Our Lady of Sorrows, Vestal NY at 10 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City.