Robert Niles

On Monday, January 4, 2010, Robert Olin Niles, 74, of Phoenixville, PA, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. During the nine years Bob battled his fatal lung disease; his response was to celebrate life and create lasting, happy memories by treating all 25 immediate family members to an annual vacation to mountain resorts, Caribbean cruises, and seashore retreats such as Bar Harbor and Cape May. When Bob retired from ABC-TV in May, 1999, he was Vice President and Director of Engineering for all ABC-TV stations. Each title carried its own set of responsibilities. According to Tom Hankinson, who formerly reported to Bob and is current Director of Technical Standards Development for ABC-TV: "Bob was a soft-spoken, well informed gentleman who always operated with a sense of personal integrity." Hankinson recalled how even the hard core New York labor negotiators trusted Bob to deal with them fairly. In 1988, Bob was a founding member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Advanced Television Technology Center. Its work focused on the development of high definition television and later on helping the consumer electronic industry transition to digital TV. Great minds and greater egos kept the proceedings energized and when it was over a decade later, the members presented Bob with a plaque crediting him with being "? the peacemaker, always working for the good of others." In his leisure time Bob was an accomplished amateur genealogist and traced his family's American roots to 1678 when an ancestor, John Olin, was kidnapped as he walked down the street of his Welsh hometown and forced aboard a British Man-O-War. Upon arriving in Boston Harbor, the 14-year old jumped ship and from this penniless beginning managed to make his way to East Greenwich, Rhode Island where he found work, married and began the lineage of generations which continue today with Bob's own children. American History was a complimentary interest of Bob's and, Sons of the American Revolution was just one of similar groups which voted him into membership. Long a patron of charitable and cultural organizations, Bob's greatest joy was the 30-plus years during which he served on various boards at the Methodist Home for Children, a multi-human services organization. He presided as Chair of these boards for many years and contributed to planning many changes as it evolved over the years. He was forced to retire due to failing health last year. In recognition of his contributions of finances, time and talent, when the Methodist Home's chapel was expanded and refurbished some months ago, it was rededicated as The Robert Olin Niles Chapel of the Four Children. As patriarch of his family, Bob's abiding love and quiet wisdom nurtured respect for self and others within this large clan. Survivors include his devoted wife Kathleen (Dougherty), sons Brian (Linda) of Haddonfield, NJ and Tim (Mindy) of Hampstead, MD; his three step-daughters: Margie (Bob) Harper, of Delaware County; Michelle (Bob) Judge and Tracey (John) Simonelli, of Chester County. Bob took special delight in his 10 grandchildren who range in age from 8 thru 21 years old. Other survivors include Bob's sister, Susan (David) Bonser of Saylorsburg, PA. Funeral Services will be held at the Berwyn United Methodist Church, 140 Waterloo Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19311 on Friday, January 8, 2009 at 11:00AM. Officiating will be the Rev. Philip I. Ponce. Interment is private. Friends will be received from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday evening or from 10:00 - 10:45AM Friday morning at the Church. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Bob's memory may send this to either: The Berwyn United Methodist Church at the above address or to the Methodist Home for Children, 4300 Monument Road, Philadelphia, PA 19131. The Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com

Robert Niles

October 13, 1935 - January 4, 2010