Portville Hall of Fame
Robert Guenther, “Bob”, was born at Olean’s Saint Francis Hospital on
October 24th, 1939, the son of G. Irwin and Eleanor Guenther.
He attended elementary, middle & high school at Portville and graduated with
the class of 1957. Bob served on the Student Council from grades 7 through
12, and as President in his senior year.
He played sports, his favorites being baseball and football. On the football
team, he was the center and linebacker. One of Bob’s fondest recollections
from school was beating Allegany in 1956. He secured 60 tackles in that one
game.
After high school, he attended Michigan State University from 1957 to 1961.
Then he attended Simmons Mortuary School in Syracuse. He returned to
Portville to join his father, Irkie, the director of Guenther Funeral Home. He
expanded the business adding a second location on East State Street in Olean.
Bob has been our community’s funeral director for 50 years.
Bob has served in the ambulance service since he was age 13! He served in
the Army Reserves from 1962 to 1969. He was Portville Central Alumni
Association President in the 1960s. He has also served as a substitute teacher
at Portville and elsewhere for 10 years.
Bob met his wife, Sally Charles Guenther, at the Portville branch of the First
National Bank of Olean. They were married at Portville’s Sacred Heart
Church on November 20th, 1965. Bob and Sally have two children, Joe and
Audra.
He is most proud of being fortunate enough to serve our community in the
capacity that he has for over 50 years.
(As presented by Gary Swetland for Hall of Fame at the Alumni Banquet, 2016)
October 24th, 1939, the son of G. Irwin and Eleanor Guenther.
He attended elementary, middle & high school at Portville and graduated with
the class of 1957. Bob served on the Student Council from grades 7 through
12, and as President in his senior year.
He played sports, his favorites being baseball and football. On the football
team, he was the center and linebacker. One of Bob’s fondest recollections
from school was beating Allegany in 1956. He secured 60 tackles in that one
game.
After high school, he attended Michigan State University from 1957 to 1961.
Then he attended Simmons Mortuary School in Syracuse. He returned to
Portville to join his father, Irkie, the director of Guenther Funeral Home. He
expanded the business adding a second location on East State Street in Olean.
Bob has been our community’s funeral director for 50 years.
Bob has served in the ambulance service since he was age 13! He served in
the Army Reserves from 1962 to 1969. He was Portville Central Alumni
Association President in the 1960s. He has also served as a substitute teacher
at Portville and elsewhere for 10 years.
Bob met his wife, Sally Charles Guenther, at the Portville branch of the First
National Bank of Olean. They were married at Portville’s Sacred Heart
Church on November 20th, 1965. Bob and Sally have two children, Joe and
Audra.
He is most proud of being fortunate enough to serve our community in the
capacity that he has for over 50 years.
(As presented by Gary Swetland for Hall of Fame at the Alumni Banquet, 2016)
| The Portville Historical and Preservation Society |
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| 17 Maple Avenue Portville, NY 14770 www.portvillehistory.org |
Portville, New York
| Robert "Bob" Guenther PCS Hall of Fame ~ Class of 2016 |
