Robert A. Simonetti

October 26, 2023

Robert A. Simonetti, 68, of Plains Township, passed away Thursday morning, October 26, 2023 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains, after a brief illness.

Born on April 5, 1955 in Scranton, PA, he was the son of the late Anthony and Margaret (Klesko) Simonetti and a graduate of Scranton Central High School, Class of 1973. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1974 until 1977, attaining the rank of Specialist 4^th Grade. Upon his honorable discharge he earned a degree in Criminal Law from Kutztown University in 1982.

Bob served as a devoted and highly respected Wilkes-Barre City Police Officer, Homicide Detective, and S.W.A.T. Team member from 1984 until his retirement in 2015. He was most recently employed in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District as a School Resource/Police Officer. He was a member of the Wyoming Valley Lodge F.O.P., Local 36, Hanover, PA, and the Polish American Veterans, Hudson.

Despite his bravery and heroism throughout his 31-year career, Bob would tell you that nothing mattered more to him than his family. A deeply loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and his most cherished title, “Poppop Bob,” he looked forward to regular family gatherings, holiday dinners, and annual vacations to Bethany Beach to fish with his sons and grandsons. He loved a good meal, especially if it was cooked by his brother-in-law, and had an especially colorful, idiosyncratic vocabulary that delighted everyone around him. Our “Bobalooch” will be forever missed.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 30 years, the former Katrina Bibak, Plains; sons Nicholas Shegda and his wife Gina, Mountain Top, and Michael Shegda and his wife Courtney, Plains; six grandchildren: Cassidy Monroe, Kyson, Paxson, Sebastian, Kane, and Kayden Shegda; brothers Ronald Simonetti and his wife Suzanne, Eynon; and Richard Simonetti and his wife Mary Ellen, Wilmington, NC; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew Philip Simonetti.

Funeral Services with Military Honors accorded by the United States Army and the Plains American Legion, Joseph E. Conlon, Post 558, will be held Monday, October 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA  18705, with his former colleague and brother police officer, Deacon Donald Crane, officiating. Family and friends may call Monday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in Bob’s name.