Robert J. Scholes, O.D., 90, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on February 04, 2020 at Keystone Villa of Douglassville.
Born on December 15, 1929 in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John R. and Mae (Sullivan) Scholes. Robert graduated from Mahanoy City High School in 1947, attended Penn State University, and graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1957. He met his beloved wife, Christiane Hazen of Erie, Pennsylvania while he was a student in Philadelphia. Robert served in the U.S. Army after high school and again, between college years, during the Korean War. He ran a solo optometry practice in Lebanon for 50 years until he was eventually joined by his daughter-in-law, Dr. Lisa M. Scholes. Robert was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and a long-time member of the Lebanon Kiwanis Club. He served as past president for both the Lebanon Jaycees and the Central Pennsylvania Optometric Society. Robert and his wife traveled extensively in the United States and Europe – becoming especially fond of the UK, France and Italy. They enjoyed theater and movies, especially in London’s East End and at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster. Reading fiction, news magazines and involvement in politics were also of great interest to each of them.
Robert is survived by his wife, Christiane whom he married on November 30, 1957; three children – John and wife Mary Jo of Birdsboro, PA; Cass and wife Linda of Newark, DE, and James and wife, Lisa of Lititz, PA; eight wonderful grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his teenage son, Gregory; two sisters, Margaret Schwartz and Faye Pearson.
A one hour visitation will take place from 10-11am on Saturday February 29th at Thompson Funeral Home, Inc., 126 South 9th Street, Lebanon, PA. A funeral service will follow at 11am. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s name may be made to Salus University’s Toland Scholarship Fund (formerly The Pa. College of Optometry), 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027-1598 or at www.salus.edu Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
