Robert H. Youst

Robert H. "Bob" Youst, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Ellamae (Dowell) Youst. Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Elmer and Nora Mae (Kimmel) Youst. A 1944 graduate of Reading High School, his college training started at the University of Louisville, but was interrupted by a tour of duty in the United States Army, serving as a PFC pharmacy technician and ambulance driver. After that, Robert received his pharmacy degree from the University of the Sciences, Philadelphia. He started his career as a field representative for Hoffman-LaRoche, calling on doctors and hospitals in eastern PA and NJ. Long before the first McDonald's in Pennsylvania, Robert and his wife founded and operated the Drug Service pharmacy in Hanover Township, with an "innovative" drive-in window. They operated the store together from 1957 until retiring in 1989. After retiring, Robert became an avid volunteer; working for AARP as an insurance counselor to seniors, working in the pharmacy at St. Luke's Hospital and Star Wellness Southside Bethlehem, serving as an Apprise counselor, and giving of his time to the Lehigh County Area Agency on Aging. In 1999, he received an award for outstanding community involvement at Lehigh Valley Hospital's Seniors' Horizon Expo. In 2000, he received the AARP area volunteer award for health advocacy services. In 2020 Robert received the Unsung Hero award from Lehigh County for his long history of tireless support to seniors in the Lehigh Valley, including over 7,300 volunteer hours for St. Luke's. He was a charter member of the Church of the Manger UCC, Bethlehem where he served on numerous committees. He had a passion for food and knew where every good diner could be found in the Northeast. After retiring, Bob and Ellie had the pleasure of being able to travel to England, Scotland, Alaska, Bermuda, The Rose Parade, The Thunder over Louisville, and on a paddle wheeler down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. They were married 65 years before Ellie's passing in 2015.

Survivors: Sons, J. Bradley Youst and his wife Jacquelyn, and Jeffrey T. Youst and his wife Sheila, all of Bethlehem.

Services: At the convenience of the family. 
Arrangements by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Robert's memory to Church of the Manger UCC, 1401 Greenview Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18018 or the University of the Sciences Scholarship Fund, 600 South 43rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495.

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