Folks around Shippenville are carrying heavy hearts this week as they remember Robert “Bob” E. Rex Jr. At 68 years old, Bob was a familiar face and a truly warm soul in our neck of the woods. A peaceful summer evening turned into a total tragedy on July 18 when Bob lost his life in a devastating motorcycle accident.
Bob was the kind of guy who never met a stranger. If you lived around here, chances are you knew him, or at least saw him out enjoying the open road. He was a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and someone whose good nature just lit up any room he walked into.
That fateful Saturday evening, Bob decided to take his 2021 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide out for a ride. The weather had been messy earlier in the day, but by 7:30 p.m., the roads seemed calm enough. He was heading up the Exit 62 westbound on-ramp in Monroe Township, preparing to merge right onto Interstate 80 West.
Nobody could have seen the danger coming around that curve. A heavy thunderstorm had rolled through the area just hours before, washing mud, loose gravel, and heavy rocks directly across the pavement. In a split second, Bob’s three-wheeler hit that thick layer of washed-out debris.
The sudden loss of traction was too much to handle, even for a seasoned rider. The bike lost control instantly, flipped over, and went sliding across the asphalt. Bob was thrown from the machine right as it overturned, taking the full brunt of the brutal impact on the roadway.
Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police quickly rushed to the scene along with the crew from Clarion Hospital EMS. Paramedics worked tirelessly to try and save him, but his injuries to his head and chest were just too severe. Authorities later confirmed he was not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred, and he was pronounced dead right there at the scene.
While the shock of his sudden death still hangs over the town, Bob’s memory is not defined by those final moments on the ramp. Friends and family are choosing to focus on the laughter he shared, the generous hand he always offered, and the huge gap he leaves behind.
As everyone gathers to say their final goodbyes, the entire community is standing wrapped around his loved ones. Bob Rex lived a life full of heart and genuine character, and his legacy is going to live on in Shippenville for a very long time.
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