Obituary of Roy Harpster

Roy F. Harpster, 80, of Boalsburg, PA died Friday, June 27, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. Born April 11, 1934, in State College, He was the son of the late Russell H. and Edna M. Breon Harpster. On December 26, 1971 he married Helen Ann Stephens, who survives at home. He is also survived by 4 children John Yearick and his wife, Margie of Bellefonte, Raymond Yearick of Monroe, NC, Janet Harpster McMaster and her husband, Brian of Goose Creek, SC. and Russell Yearick and his wife, Amy of Boalsburg; 7 grandchildren, William Genet of Bellefonte , Faye Yearick of Monroe, NC , Eliza Weeden and her husband, Ed of Millheim, Benjamin Yearick of Yuma, AZ, Travis McMaster and his partner, Jeremy of Hanover, Amber Hartzler and her husband, Travis of State College, and Jacob Yearick of Monroe, NC; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Alex Genet of Bellefonte, Araya and Mia Weeden of Millheim. 5 Siblings Harold Harpster of Boalsburg, Francis Shook, of Spring Mills, Joan Kormanic and her husband, John of Bellefonte, Betty Witherite and her husband, John of Port Matilda and James "Hoss" Harpster and his wife, Kathy of Spring Mills. He was a 1952 graduate of State College High School. Upon graduation Roy served in the United States Army, 508th Military Police BN, stationed in Germany. Roy was a supervisor at Penn State for 33 years working in the Agricultural mail room. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Boalsburg. He was the commander and president of the American Legion Post 779. He was also a member of State College Elks 1600, Life time member of the Boalsburg Fire Co and Undine Fire Co#2, Harris Township Game and Fish Association, Union County Sportsman Club, and Little Shingletown Archers. He served on the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority for Harris Township and served as a past president of the 508th Military Police Battalion Alumni Roy participated in many sports, including baseball, soccer, basketball, and softball throughout high school. He enjoyed watching high school, college and professional sports and discussing it with family and friends. He found his calling in softball where he umpired games for over 44 years in both the Amateur Softball Association, PIAA, and NCAA. Roy served for 33 years in the ASA as the Umpire-in-Chief for District 8. He also served as the State of PA Deputy Umpire in Chief. Roy received the Tom Mason Award from the Central Atlantic Region in 1993, was inducted into the Pennsylvania State ASA Hall of Fame in 1998, and the National Indicator Fraternity for Umpires in 1989 for umpiring in at least 3 national tournaments. He umpired a scrimmage game for the US Olympic Softball team. Roy conducted many umpire and training clinics because he enjoyed helping and teaching rules interpretation and mechanics to improve umpires. Roy was responsible for organizing the first PA State Softball umpires training clinic. Visitation will be 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, Monday, June 30 and 10-11am, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral Service will be 11am, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Koch Funeral Home with the Rev. Brent Book officiating. Burial will be in Boalsburg Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the Harris Township Sportsman Club c/o Don Addleman PO Box 216, Boalsburg, PA 16827, Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 East Main Street, P.O. Box 346 Boalsburg, PA16827, or Boalsburg Fire Company PO Box 540 Boalsburg, PA 16827. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.