Robert Vernon McGahey

Robert "Bob” Vernon McGahey, 97, passed away peacefully at his family home on August 12, 2020, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bob was born in Beaver Dam, Ohio on May 17, 1923. He and his older brother, John Haworth McGahey, were raised in Indianapolis, Indiana by their parents, Arthur Franklin and Mabel Gertrude (Brewer) McGahey. Bob was a high achiever from the beginning. As Business Manager of his high school senior class, Bob introduced the sale of popcorn at their basketball games. He bought a used popcorn machine, raised the popcorn on his parent’s small acreage, and surpassed all previous records of class fundraising. He served in the Armed Forces during WW2 in India and China. He enlisted in 1942 while at Purdue University. He was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program at Univ. Of Alabama in 1943, where he studied engineering. It was here, at a USO dance that Bob met the love of his life, miss Phoebe Ann Goodwin. In 1944, he was assigned to Engineer Officer Candidate School. His first ride in an airplane was over the Himalayas into central China. Bob returned to Purdue and graduated with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1949 and a Master of Business Administration in 1965 at the Univ. Of Pittsburgh. He was Judge of elections 1961-1974 for Upper St. Clair and Upper St. Clair Friends of the Library President. He joined the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1949. Before retiring in 1987, Bob was a technical writer, editor, public relations manager, communication director, and engineer. On October 7, 1950, Bob married his bride Phoebe Ann Goodwin of Birmingham, AL. They lived in Pittsburgh, PA where they raised their 3 children: Stanley Robert McGahey (1952-2003), Betty Ann McGahey Betz (1954-2009), Mary Jean McGahey Gorman (1955-2010). He moved with his granddaughter and family to Fort Collins, CO at age 90. He is survived by his granddaughter Dava Ann Betz Tate (Cameron Tate) and his great grandkids Tyler, Kadyn, and Gavin. He will also be missed by Ronda Jarboe Weindorf and his beloved dog Libby. At the request of the family service and interment are private. Donations may be made to Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Rd. Fort Collins, CO 80525.