Robert W. TENER

Industrialist


I would like to share with you an obituary for Robert W. Tener.  He was a brother of my wife's great grandmother.

I received a photocopy of the newspaper article, announcing his death, from the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, 200 Broad Street, Sewickley, PA in June 2003 when we visited there.  The wonderful lady who was in charge, Ms. Betty Shields, was very gracious and knew some of the Tener's who resided in Sewickley and across the river in Coraopolis Heights.

I do not know where the article was from - i.e. which newspaper, or when.  I do know that Robert W. Tener died on Monday, January 17, 1955.  The article reads:

"ROBERT TENER, INDUSTRIALIST, DIES, AGED 78
Rites to be here for man dying in Florida
Funeral services for Robert W. Tener, 78, of Schellsburg, Bedford County, retired Pittsburgh district industrialist, will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at H. Sampson's, 537 North Neville Street.
Burial will be at Homewood Cemetery.  Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Heart Fund.

FORMERLY OF CORAOPOLIS HEIGHTS
Mr. Tener, formerly of Coraopolis Heights, husband of the late Gertrude Bailey Tener, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John J. Manley, in Ft. Meyers, Fla. where he was visiting. 
He was born in Moree, County Tyrone, Ireland and came to this country with his family at the age of 10.  He was actively identified with the United Engineering & Foundry Company until around World War I when he became a partner in the Braddock Foundry and Machine Company.

MOVED TO SCHELLSBURG
He was a director of the United Engineering and Foundry Company from 1907 until 1952 and at one time was a director of the Bailey-Farrell Manufacturing Company for five years.
In 1931 he moved from his home in Coraopolis Heights to Shawnee Cove, Schellsburg, spending his summers at his summer home on Georgian Bay, Canada.
He was a member of the Duquesne Hunting and Fishing Club and Central Christian Church.
Desides his daughter, he leaves four sons, Graydon B. Tener of Fort Meyers, Fla.; Robert W. Tener, Jr., of Youngstown; Hampden F. Tener of Coraopolis Heights and Frederick S. Tener of Bedford, Pa."


The Sewickley Valley Historical Society had another page regarding Robert W. Tener.  This appeared to be a typed 'press release' (?) that had all appearances of being from the United Engineering and Foundry Company.  My source was the Sewickley Valley Historical Society but their source is unknown.  This page is copied and appears below:

"With exceedingly great sorrow, his many friends in the United family, learned of the death of Mr. Robert W. Tener, on Monday, January 17, 1955, at his winter home in Fort Meyers, Florida."

"Mr. Tener, Chief Accountant for the old Lincoln Foundry Company at the time of its merger into the original formation of United Engineering and Foundry Company in 1901, became out first Assistant Treasurer.  In addition to that important office, he became Manager of Steel Casting Sales.  Elected to the Board of Directors in 1907, Mr. Tener served continuously until his retirement in August 1952.  However, his active employment with the Company, other than as a Director, terminated during World War I (1917) when he and another United expert, Mr. William E. Troutman, purchased and operated their own steel foundry in Braddock, Pa.  Following the posr-war period, Mr. tener retired from his numerous business activities to devote himself esxclusively to his beloved wife and family, who for reasons of health established their home in Bedford County, Pa."

"One of his many responsibilities in his early years with the Company, was the employment of personnel.  His excellent judgment at that time is manifested by the fact that several of his early acquired "rookies" are now officers of the company, and many have recently retired after many years of loyal service."

"We of United regretted his retirement in 1952.  We, more deeply regret his passing now, and join together, employees, officers, and members of our Board, in sincerest sympathy to the family of our beloved Robert W. Tener."

According to the records at Homewood Cemetery, located at 1599 South Dallas Avenue, Pittsburgh, Robert W. Tener was buried there on Jan. 21, 1955.  He is resting in Section 16, Lot 83, Grave #4.  Beside him in grave #5 is his wife Gertrude Bailey Tener who passed away at Schellsburgh, PA. June 10, 1941.


July 12, 2004 - D C Holmes