Robert J. Belus, 87, a lifelong resident of Conway, passed away on October 16th, 2026. He was born in Freedom on December 10th, 1938, the only son of the late Joseph and Mildred Belus. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruthanne, his daughters, Jeanne, Heather Shull (husband Brian) and Bobbie Jo (companion Joe Molliere); and sister-in-law, Susan Camberg. He grew up on what was called the “East End” of Freedom with his many cousins and childhood friends. He attended Freedom Schools and graduated in 1956 while lettering in both football and basketball and participating in the East-West All-Star football game. Upon receiving scholarships from Slippery Rock, Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania, he chose to attend Penn State University. There he was fortunate enough to earn a spot on the Freshman team as walk-on. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Rip Engle, he continued to play “both ways” for Penn State until his junior season. Later, as a Senior, he became an assistant coach for the freshman squad. The 1959 Penn State team participated in the first-ever Liberty Ball and defeated the Bear Bryant coached Alabama team by the score of 7-0. One player on the freshman team that he coached was the legendary Green Bay Packer, Dave Robinson. He was also coached by assistant coach Joe Paterno and remained a friend to Joepa over the next sixty years as a season ticket holder to Penn State football games. He also is a lifetime member of the Penn State Football Lettermen’s Club. After graduating from Penn State in 1960, he returned to his alma mater where he served the school district for the next 35 years in several capacities: teacher, coach and athletic director until retiring in 1995. While teaching was a priority, coaching was his passion. Mr. B, as he was known, established the “All School Olympics” a one-day school-wide athletic Olympic style event where students competed against their classmates. As head track coach his team won four WPIAL men’s section championships in ’67, ’69, ’70 and ‘72. He coached several athletes to PIAA State Champions and others who achieved individual success as WPIAL champions. He established the Beaver County Track Invitational where the best of the best of Beaver County high school track teams competed against one another. This event still takes place today.​ During his many years of coaching, Mr. B always believed his Freedom teams could beat anybody and made sure they were well prepared for any competition, often taking his teams on the road to play bigger and tougher opponents. He said his teams were as tough as any and could compete with the best of best. This mentality allowed his teams to be better prepared for conference play and gave his Freedom teams an edge against their local opponents. The only time he left his hometown was when he received a letter from “Uncle Sam” asking for his service. He spent a total of four years with the Air National Guard, two as an Air Evac Medic. He concluded his time at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob then went on to earn his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh and his principal’s certification from Youngstown State University. He had a strong family background instilled in his family’s Serbian heritage. He was born into a family of Serbian relatives on both his parents and grandparents sides, he acknowledged the customs and religious activities he was taught from childhood. Most notably, he coached and played basketball for the Freedom Serb teams as a participant in the Serb National Federation for over 20 years. His basketball teams won three SNF titles in 1974,1975 and 1988. In an unprecedented once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, He took his combined SNF and Croation basketball team to Croatia to play in a country-wide tournament sanctioned by the Croation National Team and sponsored by both the NCAA and SNF. His team won 5 of 8 games and nearly defeated the Croatian National Team! Bob was recently inducted into their American Hall of Fame. He and his family have many lifelong associations as members of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, Freedom Serbian Club, Aliquippa Serbian Club and the Serb National Federation. Whether he was selling raffle tickets or cooking lamb and pig on the spit, he was always ready to raise money for one of his clubs. He was always known to lend a hand when duty called and to give his time and talents to the things and people he loved. He joined many fraternities and organizations during his lifetime. He held 65 years of membership to both the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, Rochester Lodge #229 and The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry New Castle. He was a​ lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Sigma Chí Fraternity and Penn State Football Lettermen’s Club. Bob held a 66 year membership in the Rochester Elks Lodge #283 and held the office of Past Exulted Ruler and Elk of the Year. For two consecutive terms, he held the office of president of the Beaver County Federation of Fraternal and Social Clubs and then went onto holding the office as state president of the Federation of Fraternal and Social Clubs in Harrisburg, PA. He was also a member of the Vets, Owls, Eagles and American Legion. Never one to not join a club where he could get a cold Budweiser beer, he enjoyed the friends he met at each and every club he belonged to. One of his last unique expressions of gratitude for public service in education and coaching was his induction into the Freedom Area Hall of Fame in 2024. He proudly accepted the award to join his many fellow classmates, teammates, former student-athletes and fellow administrators in the Freedom area where he gave of his time and talents to the things and people he loved for so long. On any weekend during football season, whether it be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, he and Ruthanne would be sitting in their seats at a Penn State or Pittsburgh Steelers game. Their love of the game took them to five Super Bowls and numerous Penn State bowl games across the country. Love for the game and the friends who shared many a tailgate party made for lasting friendships and good times over the many years they saw both the wins and losses of their favorite teams. Always a happy-go-lucky man, Bob will always be known as the guy who had a ticket to sell you or a joke to tell you. He always had an ability to see things in people that they couldn’t see in themselves. No matter the situation, you always knew him for his firm and fair advice, honest opinions, and the unique ability to encourage others to achieve their goals. His legacy of humor, perseverance, and learning will be carried forward by those who had the privilege of calling him their friend. His was a well-lived and deeply loved life. The family of Robert wishes to acknowledge the love and support over the years of family and friends: Kumovi Martha Padezanin; cousins Paul and Kathy Belosh, Tom and Janice Frazzini, and Gerry and Michael​ Pivar; and Conway neighbors the Greene’s, Shafer’s and Martin’s who were always there for the family. The family will receive friends on Monday, October 19th from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements. A private service for his family will be on Tuesday, October 20th. Entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum, 273 PA-68, Rochester. All are welcome to a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, November 28th, at 12 noon at the Rochester Elks Lodge #283, 440 Pinney Street, Rochester. Memorial contributions can be directed to the Rochester Elks Lodge #283, 440 Pinney Street, Rochester, PA 15074. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit the floral store of the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.