Robert Potter Hallenbeck, Jr.

Robert Potter Hallenbeck Jr. age 79, fondly called “Bob” of West Chester P.A. lost his life on April 30, 2025 after a sad and very long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Bob was born on March 18, 1946, in Albany, N.Y. to Robert Potter Hallenbeck Sr. and Marguerite Griffin Hallenbeck. Bob was the eldest of his three siblings, his dear brother Bill, his sister Mary, and his youngest brother Jim.

Bob was the beloved husband to Dorinda Mitchell Hallenbeck of 58 years and the father to their first child, Robert P. Hallenbeck III and their daughter Jessica Griffin Hallenbeck.

Bob grew up in Utica, N.Y. with many lifelong friends. He graduated in 1964 from Norte Dame High School. Bob was an outstanding left- handed baseball pitcher who was the Utica area MVP in 1963 when he pitched a 10-0 record. Bob was a team member of the Ridgewood Raiders, and he was one of four Raiders that was honored in the yearbook as a “Hall of Famer “that is permanently in The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown N.Y.

Following his father Robert Hallenbeck Sr. class of 1942, his uncle Lew Hallenbeck class of 1940, and his grandfather, Johnson Potter Hallenbeck class of 1910, Bob attended and graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1968 with a major in Political Science. Union College was an all-male school for many years. Once the college became co-ed, Bob’s daughter Jessica became the first Hallenbeck female to attend and graduate from Union College. This made Bob extremely proud.

Again, as in high school, Bob was the ace pitcher and captain of Union’s Garnet Chargers baseball team. In 1968, as a senior at Union, Bob earned as the pitcher and team captain, “Union’s All Time Record” of 9-2. Bob was also President of DELTA PHI, his fraternity. After graduating from Union, he was accepted into Albany Law School in Albany, N.Y. The summer before starting law school, Bob and Dorinda got married on August 17, 1968, in Dorinda’s hometown of Hudson, N.Y. Their marriage and honeymoon began their lifetime love, and many summers spent on the Cape, Nantucket, and their favorite Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

Bob served in the U. S. Marine Core Reserves between his first and second year of law school and finished his third year on time graduating in 1971 with his Juris Doctorate. He then went onto become a member of the New York Bar.

After briefly practicing law in Albany, Bob had another opportunity to work for the Legislature in Albany. Next an exciting offer came to set up model committees for the Legislature in Austin Texas. Bob and his family then were transferred to Hartford, C.T. to do the same type of job. Bob’s next career move was to come to Philadelphia to work for Smith-Kline. He moved his family, now including two children, to Wayne, P.A., where they lived for two years before moving to Berwyn where they lived for 35 years. Bob also became President of MADV, a non-profit association in Trooper, PA. A job he enjoyed before he took his final job before retiring, and the job he loved the most was for ECS, an XL Capitol Company located in Exton, Pa. Bob was Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. In his job, he did a lot of entertaining of political people and attended many significant political events both in Harrisburg and with politicians in Washington such as Joe Biden, then President Bill Clinton, Teddy Kennedy, and both of the Bush brothers, Jeb and George.

Throughout Bob’s life he continued his athletic prowess in being an avid golfer and tennis player as well as an exceptional bowler. Bob also excelled at Bridge, Solitaire, and crossword puzzles. Due to his competitive spirit, he enjoyed participating in Jeopardy and all trivia games. 

Bob enjoyed all aspects of living! He loved and enjoyed music, attending many live concerts throughout his life such as some of his favorites like James Taylor, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and The Bee Gees. 

Throughout his life, Bob lived and loved every moment. He was a kind and generous soul. He shared an avid love with Dorinda of their children and their many adored dogs and cats. The memories Bob created with his family, many friends and acquaintances, will live on in spirit in each of our hearts.

Services are private.