Obituary of Robert L. Covert

Robert L. Covert, age 82 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died peacefully, Saturday (1/27/2018) in Bonita Springs, FL, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Covert was born November 30, 1935 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of the late Ernest and Mabel Poorbaugh Covert. He was a member of the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. Bob was a 1953 graduate of the former Ramsay High School and attended Mt. Union College in Ohio where he played basketball.

After College, he worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass for 10 years.  He then began his second career as a Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service in the Mount Pleasant Area, where he had over 27 years of service and then worked for the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department for over 15 years, retiring in 2004. Bob began officiating basketball in 1961. He also officiated high school softball, American Legion Baseball and High School Football.  His true passion however was officiating College Basketball which he did for over 50 years.  He showed exceptional ability and poise in controlling the action on the court.

Awarded the David B. Fawcett Plaque as the “Outstanding Collegiate Basketball Official” for the 1979-80 season by the Tri-State Intercollegiate Association, he was chosen for this honor from over 80 officials in the tri-state area.  Bob had worked for the PIAA finals in Class AAA, AA and A. He officiated for the Northeast, Atlantic 10, Big East, Tri-State and West Virginia Basketball Conferences. He touched the lives of many young athletes and in addition to doing his job, offered encouragement, and instilled in them the desire to strive for excellence.

Bob was a member of the Jacob Justice Board, a Life Member of the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department and the BPOE 777, and a former member of the Mount Pleasant School Board, the Westmoreland County Youth Association, and the Westmoreland Sports Association.

Bob was a “Gentle Giant” with a big heart, a great smile, a love of sports and a passion for Basketball.  He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Bob is survived by his loving family: his devoted wife of 59 years, Virginia “Ginger” Coughenour Covert, his loving children; his daughters, Julie Rodgers and Scott, and Stacy Rinehart and Jason and by his grandchildren;  Kathryn “Katie” Rodgers and Harrison Rinehart. Bob was preceded in death by his brothers and sister; R. Richard Covert, Ernest “Jug” Covert and Marilyn Sue Berg.

Honoring Bob’s wishes, there will be no  hours of public visitation.  Family and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 10:30AM at the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church,    645 West Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, PA, with his pastor,  the Rev. Bob Ellson , officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 645 W. Main St., Mount Pleasant, PA or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 600 Waterfront Dr #210, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 in Memory of Robert L. Covert.  To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com