OBIT: Robert Trotter BANKERT, 1916, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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ROBERT TROTTER BANKERT

  Robert Trotter Bankert, son of County Commissioner Robert F. Bankert, 
and a widely known young attorney of this city, passed away yesterday 
morning at 6.15 o'clock, at the home of his parents, 1009 Eighth 
avenue, after an illness of five weeks.  Death was due to 
hyperthyroidism, a disease that branches and assumes proportions of an 
internal goiter.  He was born in this city August 17, 1886, in the home 
where he died.  He attended the public schools of this city and 
graduated from the Altoona High school.  Later he entered the 
Valparaiso university, Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took a special 
course in preliminary law and ethics.  After he decided upon law as a 
profession, Mr. Bankert enrolled in Georgetown university, Washington, 
graduating from the law department of that school, in the class of 
1912.  Shortly after his graduation he went to Jenkins, Ky., where he 
was admitted to practice in the local bar, and in the state courts of 
Kentucky.  He practiced law in Jenkins for two and one half years, 
returning to Altoona and entering the law offices of Attorney T. H. 
Greevy as a student and assistant.  He proved a valuable aid to Mr. 
Greevy in a number of important cases, and was credited with being 
possessed of a keen insight in cases of a technical nature.  This month 
he expected to take the examinations for admission to the Blair County 
Bar, his plans being interfered with on account of his illness.  Mr. 
Bankert was an enthusiast in things military, and was really first 
taken ill while attending the citizens' military training camp at 
Plattsburg, N.J., during the summer months.  In addition to being 
captain of the Boys' Brigade at the Plattsburg Training school, Mr. 
Bankert was secretary of the Altoona Rifle association and took an 
active interest in promoting target shooting in this city and the near 
surroundings.  He was a devout Christian man, and early in life 
affiliated himself with the Second Presbyterian church.  For many years 
Mr. Bankert has been a member of the Boys' Brigade, and has served as 
captain of company A, an organization connected with the church.
  His thorough knowledge of military matters coupled with a personality 
that was winning, fitted Mr. Bankert for the position perhaps better 
than any other person, and as a leader he was loved and respected.  In 
their tribute to him, the members of the company could have quoted no 
better mark of esteem than that of Fitz-Green Halleck, "To know him was 
to love him."  The company held at meeting in the Second Presbyterian 
church last evening and made arrangements to attend the funeral in a 
body.  Surviving are his parents, County Commissioner and Mrs. Bankert, 
with whom he made his home, and the following brothers and sisters: 
Silas M., Port-Au-Prince, Haiti; Fred B., Chester, Harry, John, Mrs. 
Wesley Hanna, Mrs. C. G. Clark and Mrs. E. O. Leach, all of this city, 
and Miss Ella, at home.  Public funeral services will be conducted from 
the home at 2.30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, by his pastor, Rev. H. H. 
Stiles, D.D.  Private interment will follow in Fairview cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday Morning, December 8, 1916