Dr. Robert “Bob” Bruce LaCount

Dr. Robert “Bob” Bruce LaCount, age 90, of Waynesburg, passed away peacefully with family by his side on December 27, 2025. Beloved husband for 61 years to Virginia W. LaCount; loving father of Victoria (Christopher) Basar and Robert (Melanie) LaCount; cherished grandfather of Zachary (Jessica) Basar, Jackson Basar, Gabriel LaCount, Nolan LaCount and James LaCount.

Bob was born to Lula and Peter LaCount on September 16, 1935 in Martinsburg, WV, where he was raised and graduated from Martinsburg High School. Throughout high school Bob studied vocational technical skills and had planned to work at the local machine shop until it closed during his senior year. This change abruptly opened a new path that would define Bob’s personal and professional life. At the urging of his family along with a teacher / mentor, Bob enrolled at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown WV to study chemistry. After completing his B.S. in Chemistry, he went on to graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh while also working as a Junior Fellow conducting research at Mellon Institute.

Soon after arriving in western PA, Bob met Virginia at the West View Danceland, a popular dance hall at the time. They enjoyed a long courtship and were married in 1964. Soon after, Bob earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. In the fall of 1965, Bob and Virginia moved down I-79 to Waynesburg, PA for Bob to begin work as a Professor of Chemistry at Waynesburg University. There, he quickly realized his passion for teaching. He went on to chair Waynesburg’s Chemistry Department, a role he would hold for many decades. In 2014, when he moved to part-time status, Dr. LaCount was conferred the esteemed title of Professor Emeritus.

During his 50+ years of service to his beloved Waynesburg University, Bob embraced every opportunity to engage and excite his students and incorporate them into his groundbreaking research. He conducted research in coordination with the National Energy Technology Laboratory throughout most of his career including summers and sabbaticals. In 1989, Bob and Virginia founded ViRoLac Industries to provide another avenue for supporting research at Waynesburg University and in later years was also a senior researcher at Separation Design Group (SDG). He has over fifty peer-reviewed publications and numerous patents including an instrument to characterize coal. He also contributed to a patent for a lightweight, portable oxygen concentrator to help people with respiratory conditions. Bob was also very active in a wide range of student and professional associations including the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the American Chemical Society.

Bob was known for his boundless patience, endless curiosity, excruciating attention to detail, and uncommon decency along with his dry sense of humor. He always had a kind word for everyone and was never too busy, regardless the hour, to help a student or a friend. A dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, his impact reverberated deeply throughout the Waynesburg community. He was an active member of St. Matthias Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and the International Rotary Club. Teaching and research were his passions but he had many talents, from auto repair and glass blowing to woodworking and wine making, and he always had a technical journal, especially biomedicine, close at hand. Bob enjoyed following his grandsons’ activities, traveling with Virginia, and vacationing in Hilton Head SC with his family every summer since 1989.  

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his siblings, Joseph (Katherine) LaCount, Allen (Dorothy) LaCount, Ida Loretta (John) Balenger and Paul (Surviving: Eiko) LaCount; and Aunt Nola LaCount. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Bob’s life at a viewing on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 3-7 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:30 am at St. John XXIII – St. Benedict the Abbot Parish, 120 Abington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. Service will be live-streamed at www.john23.org. Queen of Heaven Cemetery will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Robert B. LaCount’s name to Waynesburg University’s Chemistry Department at https://givebutter.com/GivetoWU