William R. Worobec

William R. Worobec of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, devoted conservationist, public servant, master craftsman, avid skier, and loving family man, passed away surrounded by family. He was widely respected for his leadership in protecting the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and for inspiring others to value and preserve the natural world.

Mr. Worobec was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, after which he attended Bucknell University and then graduated from Lycoming College. He completed his graduate studies at the Wharton School. His education reflected the intellectual curiosity and determination that shaped both his professional accomplishments and his lifelong commitment to service.

Mr. Worobec served as a Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission after being appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2006. In this role, he helped oversee the stewardship of Pennsylvania’s fisheries, boating programs, and aquatic habitats. During his tenure, he served as Vice President of the Commission and was later elected President in 2010, helping guide statewide conservation policy and environmental initiatives.

A passionate advocate for science-based resource management, Mr. Worobec worked tirelessly to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers. He was particularly dedicated to habitat restoration and responsible environmental stewardship, often emphasizing the importance of safeguarding waterways affected by development and gas drilling. He believed deeply that healthy ecosystems and strong communities go hand in hand.

Beyond his public service, Mr. Worobec was deeply involved in conservation efforts throughout Pennsylvania. He supported and collaborated with organizations including Trout Unlimited, Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the Dunwoody Big Bear Fish and Game Club. Among his proudest accomplishments was helping secure more than one million dollars in grants and donations to restore Big Bear Creek, preserving the stream for future generations of anglers and wildlife alike. In recognition of his lifelong dedication to protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources and his visionary work restoring the Commonwealth’s cold-water fisheries, Trout Unlimited honored him with the title of Director Emeritus. He also played an active role in broader regional conservation initiatives, including advocacy for improved stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

In addition to his environmental work, Mr. Worobec founded a local gardening and food distribution initiative that helped feed hundreds of local families. Giving his time, energy, and compassion to those in need was always central to who he was.

Professionally, Mr. Worobec dedicated more than fifty years of his career to helping people invest, prepare, and plan for the future. He began his career with the New York-based firm Kidder, Peabody & Co. and concluded it with Wells Fargo. Over the course of his career, he guided hundreds of clients, helping many people who once believed retirement was out of reach build the financial stability to make it possible. His talent for numbers, combined with his genuine care for people, allowed him to form lasting friendships with many of those he served.

Mr. Worobec’s personal passions reflected his love of the outdoors, adventure, craftsmanship, and family. He shared countless hours skiing and fly fishing with his daughters, Eve, Erika, and Rebecca, always delighting in watching them learn, explore, and grow. A lifelong skier, he served on the National Ski Patrol, taught his children to ski, and spent more than fifty years enjoying the slopes, particularly in Aspen, where the family shared a home. He was also an avid upland bird hunter, gifted dog trainer, and master craftsman who created early American-style furniture entirely by hand using traditional tools and methods reminiscent of colonial artisans.

He treasured time with his beloved wife, Pamela, including quiet walks on the beach with their dogs and summers on Cape Cod, where he found peace in the rhythm of the waves and the joy of family togetherness. He was deeply proud of his Ukrainian heritage and loved sharing his family’s culture, stories, and traditions with his children and grandchildren.

A longtime resident of Williamsport, Mr. Worobec’s legacy lives on through his family and the countless individuals he inspired through his leadership, generosity, and example. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; his children, Eve Lapine, Erika Worobec, and Rebecca Worobec-Gaucin; and his cherished grandchildren, Mason, Olivia, and Garret (Eve), Nash (Erika), and Scout (Rebecca), who brought him endless joy.

He will be remembered for his integrity, adventurous spirit, thoughtful leadership, unwavering commitment to conservation, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the love, pride, and support he poured into his family, his community, and the natural world.

A service to celebrate the life Mr. Worobec will held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Christ Episcopal Church, 426 Mulberry St., Williamsport, with The Reverend Kyle Murphy officiating. A time of fellowship will be held at the church following the service.

The family will provide the flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Worobec’s name to the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited at P.O. Box 1132, Williamsport, PA 17703-1132 or Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation, checks payable to PEDF, P.O. Box 42, Boalsburg, PA 16827.

Arrangements were entrusted to Maneval Allen Redmond Cremation & Funeral Home, Williamsport. For a more detailed obituary and to leave your fondest memory for the family, please visit www.jamesmaneval.com.