Robert Lloyd Ackerman

Robert Lloyd Ackerman, 99, of New Alexandria, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was born on September 3, 1925, in Greensburg, PA, the son of the late Lloyd W. Ackerman and Anne S. Ackerman (neé Saul). He left a legacy of innovation, dedication, and service. His family, including his wife of 65 years, Margaret, and many friends, will miss him. He will be long admired for his humanitarian heart, integrity, and Abe Lincoln-like honesty.

Bob graduated from Greensburg High School and earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. His distinguished career began at PPG in Pittsburgh, where he developed a groundbreaking chemical for a spray gun that was patented and played a crucial role during the Korean War. His innovation prevented icing on fighter pilots' windscreens, ensuring visibility at high altitudes; it is still used in aviation today.

His career took him to Koppers Company in Pittsburgh and the Arabian American Oil Co. in New York City. He met his British wife, Margaret, in New York, and they married in 1959. Together, they moved to Saudi Arabia for 10 years, raised three children, and traveled extensively, embracing new friends and cultures. In 1976, Bob joined the Oil Service Company of Iran, where he and his family lived for several years before Bechtel Corporation employed him in England. There he designed a helipad for a North Sea oil platform. His Bechtel projects included overseeing the construction of a new refinery in Borneo, Indonesia, and managing the Ok Tedi Mine in Papua New Guinea. In the early 1980s, he retired to the family home purchased in New Alexandria in 1930.

Bob was deeply committed to his community and faith. A long-time member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Greensburg, he served as a Deacon and President of the Council. His passion for conservation led him to serve as an Associate Director of the Westmoreland Conservation District from 1993 to 2012, a Past President of the Woodland Improvement Group, and a Director of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association. His dedication to environmental stewardship was recognized with an award for preserving his woodland property.

Bob was also a tireless advocate for peace in the Middle East. He worked alongside United Church of Christ pastors to foster dialogue between Muslim and Jewish communities. He deeply admired the late Rabbi Michael Lerner of San Francisco for his work in this area. His letters and articles appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tribune-Review, and The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, among others.

Bob cherished his family and was a devoted father to Julia Glenister (husband Christopher), Janet Fuhrmeister (husband Kurt), and Robert Peter Ackerman. He was a proud grandfather to Kara (husband Jack), Geoff (wife Ksu), Morgan, Marc (wife Nina), Devon, and Ian, and a loving great-grandfather to Finn. Throughout his life, he found companionship in his beloved German Shepherds, Zelda, the family Labrador, and Jude, the Schnauzer. His favorite hobbies were reading and hunting.

A memorial service to honor Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at 11:00 AM at Trinity United Church of Christ, 139 Main St, Greensburg. He will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the world.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Trinity United Church of Christ, 139 Main St Greensburg, or Cross Your Paws Rescue, PO BOX 745, Smithton, PA 15479. 

KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com