BIO: Robert Eugene FLUKE, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips 
 
Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief.  Pennsylvania, A History, 
Vol. 3, Biography.  New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 
1926, pages 142-143.
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  ROBERT EUGENE FLUKE - A leader in the building and lumber world of Blair 
County is Robert Eugene Fluke, who owns and operates one of the largest 
builders' supplies and lumber yards in the county.  Mr. Fluke is a young man 
known for his enterprise, aggressiveness and business acumen, and despite 
his few years - which are characterized by a superior intelligence - he has 
already taken prominent roles in many important civic ventures.  He is 
numbered among the foremost financiers of Altoona and the county, has done 
considerable work toward developing the Altoona Speedway, that city's famous 
attraction, and he is highly esteemed for his philanthropic work.  Mr. Fluke 
is active in commercial organizations and in fraternities, and he is well 
known in social affairs.
  Robert Eugene Fluke was born in Yellow Creek, Bedford County, 
Pennsylvania, November 23, 1891, the son of J. B. Fluke, who founded the 
business the senior Mr. Fluke owns today and who died in January 20, 1920, 
and Luverna S. Fluke, who died on December 20, 1920.  Mr. Fluke's education 
was varied and obtained in many places.  It began in the public schools of 
Yellow Creek, which he attended for one year, was continued in those of 
Everett, Bedford County, whither the family had moved in his childhood, and 
its early portion was conclude in Altoona, Mr. Fluke leaving the Altoona 
High School at the end of his second year of attendance thereat.  In 1908 he 
matriculated in the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied pharmacy and 
wherefrom he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy.  
When he returned to Altoona, Mr. Fluke was taken into his father's business, 
then located at Fifth Avenue and Twenty-fifth Street, and remained with the 
elder Mr. Fluke until the latter's death.  In May, 1918, the yards and plant 
at the first location burned down and the business was moved to No. 2605 
Beale Avenue, the present site, yards there having been purchased from 
Charles H. Cassidy.  When J. B. Fluke died in 1920, his sons became owners of 
the lumber and builders' supply enterprise.  Robert Eugene Fluke is a 
director in the Altoona Speedway, for which he furnished five million feet 
of lumber out of which the fences and stands at the Speedway were 
constructed, in the amazingly short space of time of seven weeks and three 
days, a speed none is know to have equaled for so great an amount of 
material.  Mr. Fluke is also a director in the Altoona Discount Company; a 
director in the Altoona Building and Loan Association; president of the Home 
Builders' Company, a director in the Blair County Building and Loan 
Association; vice-president of the Juniata Valley Building and Loan 
Association; vice-president of the Whenwood Home Company and vice-president 
of the Altoona Roofing & Insulation Company.  He is a member of the Altoona 
Kiwanis Club, the Blairmont Country Club, the Altoona Boosters' Association, 
and the Altoona Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Fluke married Zelia Jane Phillips, daughter of John H. and Dorothy J. 
Phillips, all natives of Jeannette, Westmoreland County, in that borough, 
June 27, 1911.