Robert Cushing Fortney

Robert Cushing Fortney, 94, of Elizabethtown, died Thursday March 1, 2012 at the Masonic Village Health Care center, Elizabethtown, PA. He was born December 26, 1917 in Harrisburg, PA, a son of George Russell and Mary Iva (Bryon) Fortney. He married Virginia Wineland Smith in 1939, who preceded him in death in November 2007. Robert is survived by two children, Grace Marie Hamilton of State College, and Fred Robert Fortney of Blue Bell, PA; five grandchildren Steven Kirk Hamilton and Michael Kent Hamilton of State College, Jeffrey Fortney of Connecticut, and Timothy Fortney of Bellefonte, and Jaime Lee Strickler of Grantville; five great grandchildren, Ashley and Cullen Hamilton of Clarence PA, and Trenton, Cade and Braeden Fortney of Bellefonte and a brother Clarence of Mechanicsburg. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by a son Dean Fortney, a sister Theodora McMullen, and a brother Nathaniel Fortney. Robert had been a truck driver and a supervisor at the Harrisburg Post Office. He had been a member of the Martinsburg Memorial, Harrisburg Hummelstown First, and Curryville Churches of the Brethren, and served as a camp counselor at Camp Swatara. Along with his wife, he traveled extensively and resided in Arizona during many winters. Robert was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and a professional clown. He conducted a singing group for Mason Care, and was a greeter for newcomers at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. He was a lecturer, sharing his knowledge of astronomy and geology. At Robert's request his body was donated to Humanity Gifts Registry for humanitarian research. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Curryville Church of the Brethren, Rt. 866, Curryville PA 16631.