Robert (Bob) Ballot

Robert (Bob) Ballot, 90, of Scranton, retired international business executive, and volunteer to many cultural, charitable, and religious organizations died last Saturday morning in Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore.  He is survived by his adored wife, Elizabeth Ann Feller-Ballot.

Born in New York City, son of the late Mack and Claire Bayer Ballot, he attended Brooklyn Technical High School and New York University, where he received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Industrial and Management Engineering, and later became an instructor in engineering.  While in college he was inducted into National Engineering Society, was president of his fraternity, TEP, executive editor of the NYU Engineering Magazine and received the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Award as outstanding management graduate.

Much of his business career was spent with the Topps Company, New York, where he directed overseas operations in 35 countries, traveling extensively throughout six continents.  He designed the factory in Duryea, where Topps produced the majority of its products from 1965 through 1998.

While a resident on Long Island, Bob was active and president of the local political organization, and a Committeeman for the township of Oyster Bay.  He was founder and president of the Council of Long Island Technical Societies, which included 12,000 engineer and scientist members of twenty technical organizations.

His family moved to Waverly, PA in 1965.

In 1972 his book, Materials Management-A Results Approach, was published by the American Management Association where he was a guest lecturer.  The book was used as a reference by industry and as a text by many U.S. and overseas universities, management schools, and businesses.

He was listed in Who’s Who in the East and in The National Social Register.

After early retirement he continued his volunteer activities, travelled extensively, often to visit friends in other countries, and studied art history and music appreciation at the University of Scranton.

He was an officer or board member of several organizations including: The Manhattan Club (NY Condo), Scranton Community Concerts, Jewish Family Service, Scranton Tomorrow, NEPA Opera, Jewish Federation of NEPA, Scranton Cultural Center, Jewish Community Center, Lackawanna River Corridor Association, The Northeast Theatre, NEPA Film Festival, Temple Hesed, Broadway Theatre of Scranton, Hobby Greenhouse Association, as well as a member of several local and national organizations.  He was also a member of Glen Oak Country Club where he delighted in being recognized for once achieving a hole-in-one.

Bob was proud to be a “downtown pioneer,” one of the early residents in downtown Scranton, where his Brooks Building perch overlooked his “front lawn,” Courthouse Square.

For years he studied horticulture and gardening, and received many flower show awards.  An avid orchid grower, at one time his Waverly greenhouses held nearly 300 orchids and a collection of rare tropical plants. At his Scranton apartment he continued to grow orchids (once over 70) and tropical plants in what he enjoyed calling his “Indoor Relaxation Garden.”

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, Bob is survived by his son, James of Leonia, NJ, two grandchildren, his brother, Dr. Michael Ballot and wife, Nan, Stockton, CA, several nieces and nephews, their children, and Elizabeth’s children and grandchildren, whom Bob cherished.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son, William Pulitzer Ballot, and his brother, Kenneth Ballot.

A graveside funeral service was held in Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery, Lebanon, PA, by Rabbi Sam Yolen. 

There will not be a Shiva.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 53 Glenmaura National Blvd., Suite 120, Moosic, PA 18507 or to the donor’s favorite charity.