Robert L. Hartranft, 85, entered into rest in the morning hours Thursday, January 16, 2014, in Stone Ridge Towne Centre, Myerstown, where he was a guest since July 2013. He was the husband of Barbara L. (Ruth) Batdorf Hartranft. Born February 26, 1928, in Newmanstown, he was a son of the late Elias and Katie (Hippert) Hartranft. A 1946 graduate of Newmanstown High School, Bob was an outstanding minor league baseball player from 1948, when he signed with the Phillies organization, to the early-'50s after being acquired by the Cardinals. A perennial all-star as a third baseman, he was both a flawless fielder and prolific hitter, once leading the Lebanon Valley League with a .410 batting average. In a 1949 exhibition game against major league players, Bob was one of only two minor leaguers to record a hit. He also excelled on the mound as a pitcher boasting a lifetime winning record. Unfortunately, Bob's baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into the Army and served overseas during the Korean Conflict where he served as a radar operator. He retired from Adelphi Kitchens, Robesonia. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Womelsdorf, and a life member of both the Womelsdorf Fire Company and the Womelsdorf VFW post 6558. Bob loved to play golf and work in his yard at home, and followed baseball and football. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Dru R. Hopkins and Christopher Hartranft; his stepchildren, Kevin C. Batdorf and Bonnie Jean Fulkerson; his sister, Kathryn Zerbe; four grandchildren; four step grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Margaret Greth, Lila Sites, Helen Patches, Elias "Shrimpy", George, and Paul Hartranft. Services will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at 11 a.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, 300 W. High St., Womelsdorf, PA 19567 with the Rev. June E. Bair officiating.
Robert L. Hartranft, 85, entered into rest in the morning hours Thursday, January 16, 2014, in Stone Ridge Towne Centre, Myerstown, where he was a guest since July 2013. He was the husband of Barbara L. (Ruth) Batdorf Hartranft. Born February 26, 1928, in Newmanstown, he was a son of the late Elias and Katie (Hippert) Hartranft. A 1946 graduate of Newmanstown High School, Bob was an outstanding minor league baseball player from 1948, when he signed with the Phillies organization, to the early-'50s after being acquired by the Cardinals. A perennial all-star as a third baseman, he was both a flawless fielder and prolific hitter, once leading the Lebanon Valley League with a .410 batting average. In a 1949 exhibition game against major league players, Bob was one of only two minor leaguers to record a hit. He also excelled on the mound as a pitcher boasting a lifetime winning record. Unfortunately, Bob's baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into the Army and served overseas during the Korean Conflict where he served as a radar operator. He retired from Adelphi Kitchens, Robesonia. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Womelsdorf, and a life member of both the Womelsdorf Fire Company and the Womelsdorf VFW post 6558. Bob loved to play golf and work in his yard at home, and followed baseball and football. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Dru R. Hopkins and Christopher Hartranft; his stepchildren, Kevin C. Batdorf and Bonnie Jean Fulkerson; his sister, Kathryn Zerbe; four grandchildren; four step grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Margaret Greth, Lila Sites, Helen Patches, Elias "Shrimpy", George, and Paul Hartranft. Services will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at 11 a.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, 300 W. High St., Womelsdorf, PA 19567 with the Rev. June E. Bair officiating.
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