Robert A. Janosov

Robert A. Janosov, 62, Emeritus Professor of History and Education at Luzerne County Community College, passed away Wednesday morning in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following his lengthy battle with lung cancer. His best friend and loving wife, Teddi, was by his side.

Robert Janosov, a resident of Sheatown, was born in Wilkes-Barre on February 5, 1943, son of the late Andrew and Theresa Carpenter Janosov.

He graduated from E.L. Meyers High School in 1960 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from King’s College in 1964. He received his master’s degree in history from Niagara University.

Professor Janosov taught, researched, and published the heritage of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s anthracite region. He was the author of Cold & Gold from the Poconos: A History of the Stegmaier Brewery, Wilkes-Barre, PA, published in 1977.

Professor Janosov was appointed by Governor Edward J. Rendell as a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 2003. He was reappointed in 2004 as a Board member of the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation.

He has served as a historical consultant for the United States Department of Interior, the National Park Service, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Historic Preservation, and the preservation of the Huber Breaker in Ashley. His historical marker placements included the Borough of Bear Creek Village, the Wyoming Monument, Luzerne County Fresh Air Camp, and local baseball player Pete Gray.

As a consultant, Professor Janosov specialized in researching and writing Historic Survey Reports, Section 106 Reports, and the National Register Nominations.

He was a long-time scholar and activist and devoted lifelong to community service. He was a member of the founding board of directors of Grit, Inc. This non-profit corporation established the first elderly apartment complex in Wilkes-Barre and has remained the board's president to the present. He served as president and member of the board of directors of the Luzerne County Historical Society for over ten years. He shared his historical expertise with many community organizations and churches, including St. Gabriel’s of Hazleton, Catholic Social Services, and Housing Development of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As a prominent Luzerne County Community College faculty member for 35 years, Professor Janosov received the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Allen Faculty Excellence Scholarship Award.

Professor Janosov enthusiastically served his fellow faculty members at the college as a PSEA union officer, organizer, and negotiator.

He is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-eight years, Teddi, to whom he was steadfastly devoted. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister Patricia Daley of Highland Park, New Jersey and her husband Gene; nieces and nephews Stacey Gansfuss and her husband Ron and their children Christopher and Kelly, Erin Czarnecki and her husband Greg and their daughter Holly, Tarra Stevenson and her husband Peter and their children Presley, Philip and Sara, Stephanie Horn and her husband Russell and their daughter Julia, Christopher Vida and his wife DeeAnn and their children Cameron and Cole, and Stephen Vida and his wife Nancy and their son Nathan.

Bob’s favorite pastimes were listening to music, reading, and especially having his dogs Quincy, Gabby, and Sprite Man at his side.

As distinguished as his professional and community achievements were, Bob will be remembered for his meticulous attire, warmth, serenity, and dignity. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. Every life that he touched was enriched in some way. He will be sadly missed by all.

Celebration of Bob’s Life begins Friday with visitation from 4 to 8 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues there on Saturday with gathering at 11:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in Holy Trinity Church, Hanover Street in Nanticoke. 

Donations to the Janosov Scholarship c/o Luzerne County Community College Foundation are preferred and will honor’s Bob’s memory.

Share memories and condolences with Bob’s family at mjmclaughlin.com