Robert T. McHugh

Robert T. McHugh of Scranton passed away peacefully at Regional Memorial Hospital, Florida, on Monday, September 15, 2025, after a short illness.  He was the husband of Kathleen (Scheaffer) McHugh with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Bob was born  in West Scranton on February 3, 1939.  He was the son of the late Mary (Peel) and Dr. Thomas McHugh.  He spent his childhood with his sister, Mary Fran (McHugh) Walsh and made many lifelong friends during his years at St Patrick’s Grade and High School.   Bob graduated from Lasalle College in 1960 where he majored in government.  He earned master’s degrees in History from Niagara University and in Counselor Education from the University of Scranton. 

Bob’s first job was at Allentown Central Catholic High School where he served as a social studies teacher while coaching basketball, golf, and wrestling.  During his time in Allentown, he met his future brother-in-law, the Monsignor Walter Scheaffer, who brought Bob home for a family dinner to meet his future wife, Kathleen.  After Bob and Kathleen were married in 1969, they returned to Scranton, where he worked as a guidance counselor at North Scranton Intermediate School and subsequently at Technical High School.

Bob and Kathleen raised two daughters, Kathleen and Mary, who survive him.  He was an extremely generous, loving, and devoted father and grandfather.

Bob was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.  He traveled to Montana, Alaska, Nova Scotia and Ireland to fish—he appreciated the natural beauty of the streams and also formed many long-lasting friendships with fellow fishermen.   He served as treasurer of the Creamton Fishing Club for many years and took his grandchildren fishing at the Tobyhanna River.     Bob climbed Mount Washington multiple times and enjoyed hiking in northeast PA.

Bob was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Paul’s Parish.  He attended 6:30 a.m. mass at the Scranton’s St. Peter’s Cathedral nearly every day of his retirement.

Since his childhood, Bob followed Notre Dame football and never missed a game. He often donned Fighting Irish apparel when walking his beloved dogs and was so proud when his granddaughter, Julia, graduated from Notre Dame in 2024.

He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Fran Walsh and his brother-in-law the Honorable, James Walsh. 

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his children,  Mary Kate McHugh, MD and her husband Randy Wade of Hollywood, Florida;  Kathleen McHugh, MD and her husband Joseph Marine, MD of Cockeysville, MD;  his grandchildren, Julia, Thomas, and Teddy;  his brother- in- law, Monsignor Walter Scheaffer;   his niece Maura Walsh Rogan and husband Chris Rogan, their children, James, John and Michael;  his niece Jennifer Walsh Boyle and husband Edward Boyle, their children, Connor, Sophie, and Quinn; many cousins and close friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 4 at 11am in St. Patrick’s IHM Chapel, 1605 Oram Street, Scranton PA. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram Street, Scranton, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shepherd’s Clinic, Baltimore (2800 Kirk Avenue, Baltimore, 21218;  shepherdsclinic.org) or Friends of the Poor, Scranton (friendsofthepoorscranton.com).

Arrangements entrusted to Savino Traditional Funerals & Cremation Care, Carl J. Savino, Jr., supervisor.

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