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Robert A. Latta

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | October 16, 2024

When Robert A. Latta (Bob) took the reins of the Westminster College Financial Aid office, he had one objective: never turn away a student because of financial need. To that end, Bob worked tirelessly to help students and their parents wade through complicated government grants, loan programs, and private scholarships to patch together a financial plan to fund a Westminster education.

Latta, who worked at Westminster for 28 years, died on August 1, 2024, at Shenango On the Green, New Wilmington, PA. He was 82.

Born in McKeesport, PA, on October 23, 1941, he was immediately adopted by Allen and Catherine Latta. His father ran a manufacturing company and his mother was a schoolteacher. Growing up in the shadow of the steel mills of Western Pennsylvania, he became an avid fan of Pittsburgh sports teams, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers. He attended Westminster College where he was a varsity swimmer, graduated from Thiel with a degree in mathematics, and earned his MA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Bob loved being a teacher. He taught math at McKeesport High School for 14 years. Additionally, he was the head coach of the girls' and boys' swimming teams, coaching multiple state champions.

In 1969, when a gal named Karen Hogue was the girls’ song leader at the New Wilmington Missionary Conference (NWMC), a guy named Bob Latta drove to the Conference with his friend, the late Reverend Doctor Bruce W. Thielemann. On the first Saturday, he attended the girls’ vespers service with a friend (why the girl’s service, we’ll never know). Bob asked if he could meet that “terrific song leader,” but did not get an introduction because he had to leave early the next day. The following summer, he came to the Missionary Conference as a boys' counselor and somehow became the Assistant Dean of Men. Karen was now the Director of Music for Conference. Bob managed to finagle an introduction and saw to it that he kept “bumping into” Karen. When she gave him a dime to purchase ten pieces of Bazooka bubble gum at Miller’s Variety Store, Bob began to suspect it might be true love. For as long as she was the music director at the Conference, Bob would surreptitiously put 10 pieces of Bazooka bubble gum on the podium for her at the beginning of the week. They were married on May 29, 1971. Bob was the Business Manager of NWMC for 15 years.

In addition to his love for the Steelers, Bob was an avid follower of the Pirates and Penguins. Devoted to Westminster Titan athletics, he could be seen running the shot clock at basketball games and rarely missed a football game. In 2006, he received the Westminster Honorary Titan award for his role in securing grants and scholarships for athletes and his general dedication to athletics.

Bob was also a long-time football referee. Officiating for nearly 25 years, he was known as a master of the rules and had the honor of refereeing two high school state championship football games.

He was also a wise and trusted friend. Intentional with his relationships, Bob made sure to regularly have lunch with “the boys” and breakfast with his best friend on Saturdays. He was always good for a laugh and wanted to know everything that was going on in your family’s life.

Bob’s faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life. An active member of the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, he served as a Deacon and Elder. He loved singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and serving as a leader with many youth programs. Every morning, before the sun rose, Bob could be found reading his Bible on the living room couch. When he finished, he prayed for an hour. Every day. Bob prayed for his family, friends, church, community, Westminster, himself, and anyone he thought was hurting. He was a great prayer warrior. Simply put, he loved God with all his heart, soul, and mind and loved his neighbor as himself.

Because of his deep faith, he was the best husband, father, and grandpap one could hope for. He wasn’t perfect. After all, his favorite cologne was “SkinBracer” by Mennen. But he loved playing touch football or whiffle ball in the front yard and attending his kids’ and grandkids’ games and concerts. When his daughter had twins and was feeling exhausted and overwhelmed because she couldn’t get the babies to settle, she called Bob to talk. Talking soon turned to crying. “I’ll be there!” Leaving work, he drove 45 minutes to help his daughter. When he arrived, the babies were asleep! Never missing an opportunity to help, Bob gave his daughter $20 and sent her to Target. Bob was always there.

But now he’s not. As a friend said when he heard Bob had died, “The world seems a little less kind than it was before.”. Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen Hogue Latta; a son, Christopher R. (Brenda) Latta and his children, Katie, Sam, and Caroline, and his stepdaughter, Madeline of Mechanicsburg, PA; a daughter, Kate S.L. (Bryan) Kiggins and their children, Elyse, Ethan, and Josie of Zelienople, PA; and a son, Kurt W. (Jocelyn) Latta and their children, Avery, Jackson, and Garrett of New Castle, PA. Also surviving is one sister, Donna (Gary) Sandercock and their children Cheryl (Russell) Halluin and Bronwyn of Georgetown, TX and brother-in-law David Hogue (Michael Utasi) of Rehoboth Beach, DE

We are so grateful for the love and care shown to Bob and our family from the staff of Shenango On the Green and Gentiva Hospice.

We are so happy that Bob is with his Savior, but we are sad that he has gone from us. Please join us to celebrate his life at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church on October 19, 2024. Visitation will start at 10:00 AM and the Celebration will begin at 11:30. A luncheon will be held immediately following. If unable to attend in person, you may participate via Livestream by using https://livestream.com/nwpresby. Also, the service will continue to be available afterward

Originally published October 16, 2024.

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