Obituary of Robert Sweitzer

Robert L. Sweitzer Olean, NY Robert L Sweitzer of 2633 McCann Hollow Road passed away Wednesday ( October 30, 2013) at The Pine Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean. Born May 4th 1933 in Olean, he was the son of the late Raymond and Della Sweitzer. On September 28, 1957, in Olean, he married the former Gail Louise Pepperdine who survives. A graduate of Olean High School, class of 1951, Mr. Sweitzer started his banking career in February 1951 with the former Olean Trust Company. He enlisted in the US Navy in November 1952 during the Korean War and served for four years, first on Cabiness Field Air Training Base and for the last two years on the USS Rowan, a destroyer in the South Pacific. His 38 year banking career continued after his discharge from the Navy in 1956. Subsequent mergers with Citizens National Bank and Trust Company and Key Bank of WNY followed, with Mr. Sweitzer retiring in 1987 with the title of Vice President. After retirement he worked as a real estate agent for Brook and Chase Real Estate Services, Inc. and later for Jones Realty Group, both in Olean. Long active in local, county and state organizations, he was a councilman for the Town of Olean for 38 years, a lifetime member of the Olean Chamber of Commerce and the Olean American Legion Post #530. Other civic affiliations include: served on the first parish counsel of St. Mary of the Angels Church, president of Cattaraugus County Banking Association, Treasurer and Board Member of the Olean Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the EDZ Corporation, first president of OYAH Corporation, Vice President and Director of the Miss New York State Pageant, Member of the Board of Governors of the American Institute of Banking, Treasurer and charter member of the Southern Tier Enterprise Development Corporation, Bartlett County Club, Elks Club and many other affiliations. Mr. Sweitzer attended several banking schools including a graduate of Consumer Development and Executive Development Schools at West Point. He was also a graduate of Independent Bankers School at Ball State University, EDP School at Marine Midland Bank and several years of attendance at the American Institute of Banking Classes. Surviving besides his wife are one son, Patrick (Barbara) Sweitzer of Olean; two daughters Susan Miller and Lynn Sweitzer, both of Olean; six grandchildren Sarah, Jessica, and Christine Sweitzer, Alex Miller, Safia Javed and Ava Borer; two great-grandchildren Norah and Lillian Sweitzer and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by a sister June O'Dell and brother-in-law Edward O'Dell. Friends and family will be received at the Casey, Halwig, & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road Olean on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean on Saturday (November 2, 2013) at 11:00am. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with full military honors being accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Town of Olean Fire Department 1297 Old Rock City Rd. Olean, NY 14760, the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation. Inc., an affiliate of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany 115 E. Main St. Allegany, NY 14706 or to St. Mary of the Angels Church 202 S. Union St. Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.