Retired Sandmeyer Steel Executive R. Giles passes away

Robert F. Giles, retired Sandmeyer Steel Company Executive, 86, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, March 29, 2018. 

Bob grew up in the McKeesport, Pennsylvania, area graduating from McKeesport High School class of 1950. He joined the Air Force and was eventually stationed at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Jackie. They loved to travel with their children, from snorkeling in the Bahamas to an adventure-filled three-week European vacation. Their love of travel continued with many trips to France and Italy, bringing along friends and eventually students from Jackie’s cooking school.  Bob loved good food and wine and was the ultimate entertainer. 

Bob joined Sandmeyer Steel Company in 1956 as a sales correspondent.  He rose through the ranks and was named Vice President – Sales in 1964, leading Sandmeyer’s sales team until his retirement in 1993 after nearly 37 years of service.  “Bob was one of the pioneers of our Company, working closely with my grandfather Paul and my father Ron Sr. in the early years of our history,” stated Ron Sandmeyer Jr., Sandmeyer Steel’s current CEO.  “He was the consummate sales professional who knew our markets, our products, and our customers better than anyone.  We are eternally grateful to Bob for his many significant contributions to the growth and success of our Company.” 

Bob is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jacqualin L. (nee Martin) Giles, his parents James and Virginia Giles, and his grandson Michael Giles.  He is survived by his children Jim Giles (Sandy), Jared Giles (Peggy) and Christine Hutkin (Michael), nine grandchildren, his sister Judy Ricciotti, and brother James D. Giles, and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

Services were held on Saturday, April 7th, at the Reed & Steinbach Funeral Home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 with the interment to be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery at a later date.

Sandmeyer Steel Company was founded in 1952 by the late Paul C. Sandmeyer.  Family owned and managed, the Company is a producer of stainless steel and nickel alloy plate products used in capital equipment for the chemical and other process industries.