Robert Asa Packer (1842-1883)
Robert was Asa and Sarah's oldest son. He was born on November 19, 1842.
He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York in 1865. He and younger brother, Harry, had active roles in the Lehigh Valley Railroad company, following in their father's footsteps.
He resided in the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company home located in Sayre, Pennsylvania, controlling the railroad from Sayre into Buffalo, New York. Active in politics, Robert ran for Congress for the 15th District in 1880.
He was married to Emilie Piollet. They had no children. Robert entered into rest on February 20, 1883 at his winter home, Keystone Bluff, in Jacksonville, Florida. He succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 41.
The townspeople of Sayre approached Robert's surviving sister, Mary Packer Cummings, in regards to turning Robert's home into a much need hospital for the employees of the Lehigh Valley Railroad shops. Mary agreed wholeheartedly and a charter was granted in 1885. The Robert Packer Hospital officially opened its doors on July 7, 1885.
Photograph Courtesy of The Asa Packer Mansion Museum
Robert Asa Packer
