Bob Prentiss’ newspaper career began in foxholes in Europe during World War II. Mr. Prentiss, who had studied journalism at Rutgers University, was a decorated rifleman with the 1st Infantry Division when he had the chance to become a reporter with the Army newspaper Stars and Stripes. Robert Swayne Prentiss, of Point Breeze, died of Alzheimer’s disease on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at Seneca Place, Penn Hills. He was 83. “It was a relief for Bob to be able to leave the front lines where the heat of battle was so intense that the trunks of the trees were exploding and killing and maiming many of the GIs,” said his wife, Susan Prentiss. Following his discharge in 1946, Mr. Prentiss returned to Rutgers University to continue his studies. He became editor of the university newspaper and received his degree in journalism. In 1947, Mr. Prentiss was hired as a police and crime reporter for the Bridgeport Herald in Connecticut. He later worked at the New York Mirror. It was while living and working in New York City that he decided to enter the field of public relations and advertising. “Bob was employed by Lever Brothers and was involved when they first introduced Dove soap,” his wife said. In 1960, Mr. Prentiss joined the Washington, D.C., office of Ketchum McCleod and Grove (KMG) and was transferred to the Pittsburgh headquarters in 1962. In 1986, Mr. Prentiss married Susan Haas, a fund-raiser for the Easter Seals Society. “Easter Seals was one of Froggy’s (restaurant) charities that Bob was involved with,” she said. “I found Bob to be a warm and gentle man who had a lot of energy when we first met. “Bob was always looking for new challenges. He was also interested in improving his mind. In 1985, he organized Bobby’s Mental Gym, a health club for the brain that involved mental exercises that he devised. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was one of his clients.” Mr. Prentiss was an active member of Calvary Episcopal Church in East Liberty. “His involvement with the Episcopal Church,” his wife said, “dates back to his father, an Episcopal minister who served as chaplain and dean of students at Valley Forge Military Academy, where Bob graduated in 1939.” Robert McCully, who was also employed by KMG, said Mr. Prentiss was well-suited for public relations and advertising work. “Bob had the two attributes that are vital in this business: He knew the business and was well-liked.” McCully said Mr. Prentiss was successful when he left KMG and began his own business, The Robert Prentiss Agency. “The Republican Committee of Allegheny County was one of his first clients. He also did very well with restaurants. Two of his bigger accounts were the Hyeholde (Moon) and Froggy’s (Downtown).” Mr. Prentiss is survived by his wife, Susan Marie Prentiss; three stepchildren, Elizabeth Marie Exler, of Crafton, Sarah Henderson Nordby, of Minneapolis, and Eric James Nordby, of San Francisco; and two stepgrandchildren, Marin Elizabeth and Eleanora Marie Exler. Family and friends are invited to the Prentiss home at 6 p.m. Monday. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Episcopal Church, Shady Avenue, East Liberty. A reception will follow in the parish house. Arrangements are being handled by McCabe Bros. Inc., Shadyside.

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