Roy Douglas Gatherers

Roy Douglas Gatherers passed away at his home in Marietta, PA on February 15, 2023.

Roy was born on August 21, 1941 in Bonners Ferry Idaho to Elizabeth (nee Southard) and Harold ‘Buster’ Gatherers. Living in the rural northwest, many of his relatives worked in logging, and Roy expected to follow in that line. However his path turned in high school when he showed an aptitude for math and chemistry. Encouraged by a teacher, he enrolled at the University of Idaho and studied chemical engineering, where he graduated in 1963 near the top of his class. He continued his studies and earned a Master’s Degree at Purdue University in 1966. Upon graduation, he was recruited by Du Pont and spent 37 years in R&D, developing manufacturing processes for new products used in cell phones, computers and video display. Roy was enormously proud of the accomplishments of his career, and followed the activities at the Towanda plant where he had spent many years. Roy married Diane Dalton on August 25, 1962. Together they had three daughters: Leanne, Janene and Wendy.

In retirement, Roy enjoyed traveling, learning about history and cultures of the world.  He was led by unending intellectual curiosity, and pursued many hobbies, voraciously reading about each: genealogy, US railway history, and the Civil War. He even revisited the trumpet and jazz of his high school days.

Roy will be remembered for how he valued education, encouraging his grandchildren, and his genuine pride at their successes. A steadfast family man, he also maintained a 60 year friendship with his boyhood friend from Idaho.

Roy is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter Leanne Detwiler and her children Paige and Mark; his daughter Janene Heyer and her husband James and their children Jason and Jessica; daughter Wendy Carrell and her husband Jeffrey and their son Ryan. Roy was preceded in death by his brother Walter and sisters Pat, Ellen and Kathleen.

Memorial Service to be determined.

Arrangements entrusted with Smedley-Finkenbinder Funeral Home.