Dear Colleagues,
The campus community mourns the passing of Robert “Rob” Kaleta, 46, who died on Friday, March 10. Rob joined Bucknell and the L&IT Enterprise Systems (ES) team in late 2013 as the administrator of our Banner Applications. He was quickly promoted to an Assistant Director role with expanded responsibility for the team that supports the daily operations of some of our most critical systems.
Rob was born April 22, 1970, in Ashland, a son of Robert John and Diane (Shuey) Kaleta, of Ranshaw. On Sept. 10, 1994, in St. John’s United Church of Christ, Shamokin, he married the former Kelle Miller who survives.
Rob was a 1988 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and a 1992 graduate of Shippensburg University.
Rob was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Shamokin.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by two sons, Quentin and Justin Kaleta, at home; one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Bill Kramer, of Gowen City; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Mary Miller, of Sunbury; and two nephews and one niece, Hayden, Korbin and Kamryn Kramer.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth Street, Shamokin, with the Rev. David Spotts officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Rob’s memory may be made to any Service 1st Federal Credit Union for the benefit of his children.
Arrangements are by the Farrow Funeral Home, Sixth and Chestnut Streets, Shamokin.
Members of the Bucknell Community are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of the entire Bucknell community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Rob’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
While I didn’t work with Rob frequently, we traveled together to Brown University along with several other HR, L&IT and Finance colleagues in 2015. Rob was very easygoing, knowledgeable, and fun to get to know . I’m so glad I had the opportunity to share some time with him. My deepest sympathy and focused prayers for his wife, family, friends and Bucknell colleagues.
While I did not work with Rob daily at Bucknell, I was part of the hiring committee that brought his skills, talents and warm personality to Bucknell. My sincere prayers to his family and friends who mourn his loss and treasure memories of him. ~Missy Gutkowski
I am so sorry to hear of Rob’s sudden passing. I went through the Emerging Leaders Program with him. He was kind, smart, and a wonderful person to know. I am glad I met him, if only for a brief period of time. My thoughts are with his family and the L&IT colleagues who worked with him. – Rhonda Miller
Thank you to everyone for your support in this difficult time for all of us who worked closely with Rob. He was a good friend and a huge contributor to Bucknell’s success. We all miss him very much.
Please extend your thoughts and prayers to his wife Kelle and sons Quentin and Justin.
A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, March 18th at 11:00am. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 117 N. 8th St, Shamokin, PA 17872. Confirmation will be listed in his obituary in both The Daily Item and The News-Item on Tuesday.
Even though I didn’t work with Rob on a regular basis, when we did talk or work together it was like we’d known each other for a while. He was very well liked and also very knowledgeable in what he did everyday. He touched many people and will be missed. We have all been blessed to have known him in his various roles.
I’m glad that I had the opportunity to meet and work with Rob, and pray for comfort and healing to all of his family, friends, and colleagues.
Carol Yost