Robert R. “Bob” Toothman
Robert R. “Bob” Toothman, 84, of Moon Twp., died on November 21, 2025 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Aliquippa, PA on October 11, 1941 the son of the late James & Opal (Davis) Toothman.
Bob was noted for his offbeat sense of humor, one liners and jokes. His humor was generally self-depricating, topical and spur of the moment.
He was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, with a BA degree in Journalism, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned an MBA in Marketing. Bob spent his career working in advertising, public relations, employee communications and financial relations for two major advertising/public relations agencies and a major corporation in Pittsburgh. In 1986, he started his own communications agency, which he headed for 26 years before retiring in 2012. During those years he served clients in several cities and states including: Pittsburgh, Washington (DC), New York, Cleveland, St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Charleston, Florida, Alabama, California and Indiana. He was drawn to the communications business because he loved ideas and explaining complex concepts in a way that made it easy for others to understand.
Teaching and coaching were two of Bob’s passions. He served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne’s Graduate School of Communications and Robert Morris University, teaching a variety of marketing and communications courses for more than 20 years. Bob coached boys’ basketball, baseball and football, and girls’ basketball and softball teams, in a variety of different grade levels and programs, primarily in the Moon area.
Bob served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for six years. After active duty, he served at one of the local Nike sites, which were built to defend the northern U.S. border from air attacks during the Cold War. Volunteering for charitable and fund-raising activities was also part of Bob’s life. He helped raise money for the United Way and American Kidney Foundation, and served on the boards of the Greater Pittsburgh Boy Scouts of America and the Moon Township Public Library.
Since 1968, Bob was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Moon Township where, at various times, he served on the church council, taught Sunday school and chaired the Mutual Ministry Committee.
Bob always felt that, “If you can leave the world in a little bit of a better place than when you got here, you’ll have done your part.” He felt that through the kindness and the accomplishments achieved by his children and grandchildren he has reached his goal.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years Helen M. (Gilbert) Toothman; two children: Christopher Toothman (Teresa), Columbus OH; Aimee Gelston, Collier Twp., PA; six grandchildren, Alexandria Toothman, Alyssa Gelston, Emma Gelston, Tyler Fitzgerald (Brittany), Jordan Gallagher (Thomas), Brendan Fitzgerald (Grace); and a great granddaughter, Ellie Fitzgerald.
Friends will be received on Tuesday November 25th from 3-7 PM in The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Twp. (1522 Coraopolis Hts. Rd.) A funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 10:30 AM in St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Moon Twp. (Everyone please meet at the church). Private interment, at a later date, will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, Moon Twp.
Memorial donations can be made in Bob’s honor to the American Cancer Society’s Melanoma Foundation. www.cancer.org