Obituary of Robert Lane

Robert H. Lane, who began his career as a newspaper reporter and went on to hold executive positions at leading New York public relations firm Carl Byoir Associates and later Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, died March 16, 2011, at his home on Amelia Island, Fla. He was 92. Born in Pittsburgh, Mr. Lane graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a journalism degree and worked as a reporter for the Pittsburgh Press prior to becoming Philadelphia bureau editor for the Associated Press. During 14 years as vice president of Carl Byoir Associates, his clients included B.F. Goodrich, along with Hughes Aircraft and California Pictures owned by industrialist, film producer, director and philanthropist Howard Hughes. Mr. Lane worked directly with B.F. Goodrich executives to introduce the company's first tubeless tire and with Hughes to promote the inaugural flight of the Spruce Goose, the world's largest wooden flying boat, which Hughes designed and built. At Goodyear, he was vice president responsible for the company's worldwide public relations activities, corporate advertising and publications. Mr. Lane played an integral role in the development of Goodyear's signature blimp program, including initial aerial telecasts of news and sporting events on network television, and creation of its auto racing programs and promotions at Championship, Grand Prix, NASCAR and International Motor Sports Association events and racing circuits. Working with Walt Disney, he created one of Goodyear's first corporate partnerships at Disneyland in California and later the Goodyear Grand Prix at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Lane received the Knight Newspaper Award for Excellence in Communications and Future Farmers of America Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions in development of the national organization. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Naples, Fla., Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and National Press Club of Washington, D.C. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Madeline R. Lane; his parents, Harry B. and Anna Ree Lane of Pittsburgh; a brother, William T. Lane of Wheeling, W. Va.; and a sister, Marjorie Jean Kepner of Mt. Lebanon, Pa. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Bartoletti; two sons, Gregory and Keith Lane; daughter-in-law Cynthia Lane; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Alqueza and her husband Arnold and Karla Smith and her husband Ander; one grandson, Matthew Lane; and great-grandson Riley Alqueza. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, Pa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Ave., State College, with the Rev. Joel Blunk officiating. Burial will be at Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida 4266 Sunbeam Road Jacksonville, FL 32257.