Robert E. Blumenthal | Company owner, 77

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Robert E. Blumenthal, 77, of Bala Cynwyd, owner of Penn Emblem Co. in Northeast Philadelphia, died on Monday, Dec. 5, of complications of the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome at the hospice at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla.

Mr. Blumenthal grew up in Logan. He played baseball for Olney High School, where he met his future wife, Irma Perez. After graduating in 1951, he attended Temple University, then joined Penn Emblem.

The firm, which his father, Frank, founded in 1940, manufactures embroidered, screen-printed, woven, and appliqued emblems for uniforms for transportation, security, construction, and health-care workers and sports teams.

Mr. Blumenthal was president of Penn Emblem for 40 years until May, when his daughter, Randi Joseph, became president. However, he remained involved in company operations, she said.

Mr. Blumenthal was active with several professional organizations and was a patron of numerous charities and institutions, including the Federation of Jewish Agencies, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Wellness Center of Sarasota, and the Van Wetzel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota. He and his wife wintered in nearby Longboat Key, Fla.

He was an accomplished watercolorist, a jazz aficionado, and a passionate Phillies fan who had gone to spring training for years.

In addition to his wife of 56 years and daughter, Mr. Blumenthal is survived by daughters Ellen Churchill and Tina Small; two sisters; a brother; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad St., Philadelphia.

Donations may be made to Children's Hospital Foundation, Attn.: Braman Lustgarten GI Fund, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia 19104.