STRUCTURAL BUILDING COMPONENTS MAGAZINE
April 2006 Support Document

Leave a Legacy: Remembering the Life of Robert E. Mort, Sr.

Robert Mort, Sr.’s Complete Obituary from "In Memoriam" (March 2006 SBC):

Robert E. Mort Robert (Bob) E. Mort, 84, passed away at his residence in Hermitage, PA, on December 12, 2005, after an extended illness.

Mort was born on March 17, 1921, in Poland, OH. He was an alumnus of Poland Seminary High School, the U.S. Army Midwestern Signal School, Youngstown State University and Swartz School in Pittsburgh. Mort married wife Donna R. Haessly in 1947.

Mort spent much of his career in the steel products and construction industry, and was considered an icon. He was the president and chief executive officer of Inter-Lock Steel Co. He held the same titles at sister companies Unity Machine Tool and Die Co. and Standard Aluminum Company of America. Together, these companies supplied industrial machinery and other steel products to the construction industry. Inter-Lock was eventually sold to MiTek Industries. Mort was one of the founding members of the Truss Plate Institute (TPI) and the Component Manufacturers Council (CMC). He served two terms as TPI president (1977 and 1991).

Mort was a decorated war veteran, having served during World War II with the 232nd Signal Company on detached service with the 7th Australian Infantry Division and other combat units throughout the Pacific theater of operations on detached service.

Throughout his life and especially in his retirement, Mort was an active community leader. He founded the Shenango Valley Urban League and Hickory Business and Professional Men’s Association and was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of Shenango Valley Osteo-pathic Hospital. He was a member of Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 686, the Zem Zem Shrine of Erie and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mort was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, PA.

Beyond his dedication to community service, Mort’s hobbies included flying and sport fishing. He wrote two books chronicling his early life, World War II experiences and children’s stories. He is survived by his wife; three children, Patricia Mort, Thomas Mort and Mary Haessly; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Robert E. Mort Jr., his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

A funeral service for Mort was held on December 17, 2005, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home Inc. Large attendance numbers revealed just how missed Bob will be. Bob’s son Tom Mort was touched that so many of Bob’s friends and acquaintances attended the funeral. Tom commented on why his father was liked by so many. “Bob was genuine and acted with integrity in both business and in personal relationships. What you see is what you got with Bob,” he remembered.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Box 89, Farrell, PA, 16121; or to Keystone Kids Program in care of Keystone Blind Association, 1230 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, PA, 16146.

[Source: The Sharon Herald, Sharon, PA]