Obituary of Robert B. Oakleaf

Robert B. Oakleaf Robert B. Oakleaf was born September 9, 1920, the son of Edward M. and Ruth B. Oakleaf. He graduated from Olean High School in 1938; the Lawrenceville School in 1939; and Princeton University in January 1943. He served three years in the Pacific Theater with the Seventh Infantry Division. He was awarded the bronze arrowhead, 6 battle stars and several decorations. On September 8, 1945 in Greenwich, CT, he married Elizabeth M. Loomis who survives. He is also survived by Christopher B. Oakleaf, Jonathan W. Oakleaf, Timothy L. Oakleaf, Elizabeth M. Oakleaf and 6 grandchildren and a sister Polly Oakleaf Bakewell. He left the army as a Captain and attended Wharton Graduate School prior to becoming associated with the F.H. Oakleaf Co., a business started by his grandfather in 1878. When his father passed away in 1958 he took over the operation; expanding it to Bradford, PA, Elmira NY, and Auburn, NY. He sold the business in 1983 and retired moving to Naples FL full time in 2000. He was a long time director of the Exchange National Bank of Olean and Chairman of the Board from 1984 to 1991 when he retired. He was commanding officer of Co. I, 174th Infantry, 27th Division at the Olean Armory and as such was responsible for providing the St. Bonaventure University basketball team with a home court prior to the construction of the Reilly Center. He was vestryman and warden of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Olean and St. Monica’s Episcopal Church of Naples, Florida. He was past President of the Olean YMCA. He was past President of the Olean-Bradford chapter of the National Association of Accountants (now the Institute of Management Accounting). He was also a National Vice President of that organization. He was past President of the Wing Ski Club and a member of the Ellicottville Ski Club, Bartlett Country Club and the Cuba Lake Yacht Club. He was a lifetime member of the Cloister Inn at Princeton University. He was a director of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, The American Red Cross, and other civic and charitable organizations. He actively volunteered at St. Monica’s church and St. Matthews House in Naples, FL. There will be a memorial service at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church of Naples, FL and a memorial service and burial at Mt. View Cemetery, Olean NY, on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at a time to be announced. Memorials may be made to St. Monica’s Church or St. Matthews House in Naples FL; St. Stephens Church or The Olean General Hospital in Olean, NY.