Robert H. Sterling, 68, of West Pittston, recently transitioned into eternal life while under Sacred Heart Hospice at-home care. Most recently, Robert was a partner in Direct eMail Marketing Sales, West Pittston, and the former owner of Northeast Investigative Consultants, Wilkes-Barre and Tunkhannock. He earned numerous outstanding performance awards for his lengthy service as Corporate Security Director for Advanced Security Systems, Inc., Allentown. Robert also received considerable letters of commendation from the Pennsylvania Attorney General, U.S. Marine Corps, and other law enforcement agencies for his exemplary work with canines which he bred and trained for narcotics investigation, guard and patrol duty. His early dog training education began with a Penn State University 4H program. He then continued building his life and career with dogs as he travelled the U.S., Canada and Europe to become a professional dog trainer and exhibitor A contemporary Doctor Doolittle with a generous heart, Robert had an extraordinary gift and love for animals --- both as pets and as working partners. In 2012, he authored the children's book Willem's Wisdom: Let's Have Lunch!: You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a 1st Impression. Robert was a former member of 4H, the Endless Mountains Draft Horse Club, the Bull Terrier Club of America, Irem Temple-Dallas, the Bloomsburg Caldwell Consistory, Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania – Nanticoke Lodge 541, National Association of Bail Enforcement Agents, Harley Owners Group, Rolling Thunder - Pennsylvania Chapter 3, and the Mid-Valley Drug Task Force. Growing up in Trucksville, Robert graduated 1971 from Dallas High School and attended Luzerne County Community College. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Marion Sterling, infant sister Donna Mae, and several beloved pets, particularly but not exclusively: Rottweiler Oscar, Belgian Malinois Prinz, and English Bull Terrier Willem. He is survived by his sister, Robyn and her husband Walter Kochan of Dallas, and numerous friends worldwide. He was a caring big brother who will be forever missed. Heartfelt thanks to the anonymous donor and Dr. Lloyd E. Ratner of Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City who gave Bob 14 more years after a kidney transplant in 2005. Although challenged most of his life by diabetes and its complications, Robert had a zany sense of humor as evidenced when writing his own obituary: The Obituary While I am not planning on going anywhere other than Terry's Diner anytime soon, I woke up this morning thinking of my good friend, Kevin McGroarty and of his obituary. Kevin achieved room temperature July 25th 2014. True to his sense of humor he wrote one of the funniest obituaries, I have ever read. People from around the world read and commented on that piece and for a few moments he was as famous as Elvis. I liked reading Sigmund Freud's Life and Death Instincts. Freud thought the goal of all life is death. He may be right. I have never met anyone who has gotten out of here alive. But as proven by my friend Kevin, death does not need to be morbid. Death gives us an opportunity to forget our troubles, share a few laughs and celebrate what we had. No one said it was easy, especially if you are the one staring death in the eye. But having been there I can tell you it is not any scarier than the old Rocky Glen Roller Coaster ride. Writing your own obituary can be a cathartic experience. It gives you a moment when you may feel free enough to tell the world what you think without being angry. Keeping that in mind I wrote my obituary today... Robert Harrison Sterling Don't ask why, It just is. Short sweet and to the point. It doesn't make any sense to write out a long drawn out text where they charge you for every damn word. Reminds me of an old joke when Western Union telegrams were popular. A lady got a call from Western Union. She asked the operator to please sing the message. After a few minutes and much insistence from the recipient the operator reluctantly agreed. She belted out a tune that went like this... "Your sister Rose is dead!" Have fun and write your obituary today." But, in telling you about his life, Robert described it this way: About Me Hey kids, if you are reading this then I guess you want to know more about me, so here goes…I am a lover of life, liberty and our great nation. I treasure everything that life gives. I am grateful for family, friends and all the gifts I receive. I live with my English bull terrier "Willem" in northeastern Pennsylvania's "garden village" called West Pittston, close to the beauty of the Pocono Mountains and located midway between the busy city streets of New York and Philadelphia. I spent more than two decades as a small business owner, and private investigator specializing in insurance fraud, surety and internet investigations. I have worked in a private capacity to various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. My focus now is using my talent and skills to help friends and small businesses achieve more success on the Internet. My favorite quote was: "Strive not to be of success, but rather to be of value." – Albert Einstein. In honor of Robert's sentiments about life and death, a special service will be he held in warmer weather. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home. In honor of Robert's love of canines, memorial donations may be made to: k9 Hero Haven, 176 Mahanoy Creek Lane, Herndon, PA 17830, or via: http://www.k9herohaven.org/donations.html