Public visitation and funeral arrangements for Peters Township Councilman Robert L. Atkison Sr. are set for Wednesday and Thursday at Beinhaur Funeral Home.
Atkison, 81, of McMurray, died suddenly on Sunday, according to his obituary.
He was a 50-year resident of Peters Township and was the longest serving member currently on the Peters Township Council—serving 22 of the last 24 years.
Peters Township Manager Michael Silvestri, who has known Atkison for more than 30 years, described the late councilman as someone who was very active in the community and who never missed a meeting.
"I think he was a quality person," he said, adding that Atkison was fiscally conservative and proud of the fact the township held the line on taxes for many years.
He was born May 12, 1932, in Pittsburgh, a son of Clarence Wills and Jennie Sarver Atkison.
Atkinson graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in mechanical engineering and had a 40-year career in the industrial field in engineering where he served in many management positions.
He was a veteran of the US Army.
"As a councilman, he was most proud to have worked on major projects for the community throughout the years including the expansion of Peterswood Park and Peters Lake Park, the Montour Trail, and the ambulance garage," his obituary stated.
He had also been volunteering for the Peters Township Ambulance Service for over 30 years and was currently the assistant director.
He was a member of the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen’s Club since 1963, having served three terms as its president and most recently serving on the board of directors.
He was is survived by his wife, Ann Atkison, as well as his children, Robert L. (Tricia) Atkison Jr., Judith A. (Dennis) Brimmeier, Tracey A. (Mark) Smith, and Amy A. (John) Hamilton.
He is also survived by his grandkids, Kara and Jacob, Eric and Mark, Joshua and Benjamin, and Zachary and Abigail.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, where services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m.
The family suggests that contributions in Atkison's memory be made to the Peters Township Ambulance Service, 300 Municipal Drive, McMurray, PA 15317.
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