Jul 8, 2013 3 min read

McMURRAY – When Peters Township Councilman-At-Large Robert Atkison died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, Tom McMurray not only lost a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764 Ambulance Service, he lost a friend.

McMurray, director of the ambulance service and a member of Peters Township School Board, was at home Sunday afternoon when he heard the radio call for an ambulance response at the Atkison home. He immediately went to the house. Atkison was the assistant director of the ambulance service.

Atkison, 81, never showed his age, always busy tending to township concerns, the needs of the ambulance service and spending time with his wife of 54 years, Ann, or their four children, eight grandchildren and a new great-granddaughter.

“Bob never slowed down,” McMurray said. They had been friends since the 1980s.

Council held its regular meeting Monday evening, but the mood was somber and the meeting was unusually brief. The American flag outside the municipal building hung at half mast.

Following a moment of silence, each council member was given the opportunity to say a word about Atkison’s passing.

Councilwoman Monica Merrell sat next to Atkison during the meetings.

She said when she first met Atkison, she thought he was a “crusty old man” and after getting to know him better she realized he really was a crusty old man. Then, after laughter from the rest of the council, her voice broke with emotion when she said, “He will always have a soft spot in my heart.”

Council President Frank Acuri said, “Bob was Bob and you knew what you were getting from Bob.”

Councilman James Berquist said Atkison begins with an “A” and that was fitting as he was an “A plus” man. Councilman Robert Lewis had served with Atkison the longest on council. He said, “He let you know where he stood.”

Atkison was a member of council for 22 of the past 24 years and had been a township resident for the past 50 years.

Councilman David Ball sent his condolences to the Atkison family and added, “The township has lost a great citizen.”

Viewing will be at Beinhauer’s Funeral Home on Washington Road from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, with the funeral set for 11 a.m. Friday.

Township Manager Michael Silvestri said he had known Atkison since before Atkison was first elected to council.

“His heart was to do whatever was best for the township,” Silvestri said. “He loves his family, the ambulance service and the township.”

“It will be very, very difficult, if not impossible, to replace him,” Arcuri said. “His presence on this council will be missed.”