Robert Arlen Blocher

Robert Arlen Blocher passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the age of 83. He was born on November 27, 1941, the son of the late Robert and Isabel McBride Blocher of Carlisle, PA.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws Todd and Gloria Stewart Buseck. He was also preceded in death by his infant son Christian Todd Blocher in 1971.

He graduated from Mark Keppel H.S. in Alhambra, CA, the class of 1961. Prior to that, he attended Carlisle H.S. thru the first half of his senior year before moving with his family to CA. He attended college in Pasadena, CA and was later employed by Bank of America in Los Angeles where the courtship began with his wife Karen.

They eventually moved back and settled in Erie where he was employed by Federal Express until his retirement in 2003.

His greatest joy in life was spending time with his two grandsons, Andrew and Jonathan Millward. They made his life complete. He enjoyed watching drag racing and old movies, going to the casino, visiting with friends and neighbors, and maintaining his beautiful lawn.

He is survived by his spouse of 57 years Karen Thornton Blocher and his daughter Staci Blocher Millward and her husband Joseph. He is also survived by his grandsons Andrew Millward of Richmond, VA and Jonathan Millward of Fairview, PA, his brother Richard Blocher (Janice) of Carlisle, PA, and his sisters-in-law Gloria Wiley (Nolan) of Idaho, Beverly Aldridge of CA, and Denise Archambault (Joe) of Idaho, in addition to many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his partner in crime and great friend Robert “Bob” Sibley and dear friends and neighbors; Ella Smith, Eleanor Johnson, and Ken Reitinger. The two Bobs spent time together on an almost daily basis.

It was requested by Bob to have a private burial and be an organ donor to help others.

His kindness to others and his love of nature (especially the birds and squirrels that he fed daily and enjoyed watching) will be greatly missed.

Private arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd, Erie, PA 16506.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 4703 West Ridge Rd., Erie, PA 16506.