A 2020 Pennridge High School graduate who became a decorated soldier while fighting with the Ukraine army was killed in action earlier this year.
Bobby Pietrangelo, 23, of Hilltown died Jan. 3 during a Russian offensive in the city of Pokrovsk in the Donestk Oblast, according to his mother Dana Fancher, of Hilltown Township.
“I was a mess the whole time he was away and worried, of course, but he just said he needed to go,” said Fancher. “He’d say, ‘How can you sit here when it’s happening over there and not do anything about it?’”
Pietrangelo initially traveled to Ukraine in April 2022 to aid in humanitarian efforts, Fancher said. He went on to become a combat life-saving trainer, providing aid and delivering medical supplies to the front lines, before joining the Ukrainian military in June 2024.
During his military service, Pietrangelo had multiple deployments to the frontlines. In October 2024, he sustained a severe concussion and brain injury in a drone attack, for which he was awarded the Iron Cross for Bravery Under Fire.
In January of this year, he was scheduled to return home but his leave was revoked as the offensive ramped up and foreign mercenaries began deserting en masse, leaving Ukrainian troops significantly outnumbered.
“There were tens of thousands of Russians as opposed to just a few thousand of the foreign-trained troops that were helping Ukraine,” said Fancher. “So Bobby said that he probably wasn’t going to get his leave.”
‘Scared but determined’
Fancher last spoke to her son on the evening of Jan. 2, when he confirmed his redeployment to the frontlines. She described his disposition as “scared but determined.”
“He knew that they were very outnumbered and he knew that he might die at this time,” said Fancher. “He said there’s only 15 to 20 of us and if I don’t go, that’s one less, and I can’t let the rest of my troop down.”
Shortly thereafter, a contact informed Fancher that Pietangelo had been killed by a grenade after being overrun in the trenches. He died alongside his best friend, Jordan MacLachlan of Scotland. As the city of Pokrovsk is under Russian control, Pietrangelo’s remains have not been recovered, Fancher said.
Memorial
Following Pietrangelo’s death, Fancher and her daughter traveled to Ukraine to provide DNA samples and retrieve Pietrangelo’s belongings. They additionally filed a missing persons report with the Ukrainian National Police with assistance from the R.T. Weatherman Foundation, which aids in recovering deceased servicemen.
While in Ukraine, Fancher and her daughter visited Maidan Square, placing an American flag and a Scottish flag under a decorated Christmas tree where Pietrangelo’s friends held a small memorial ceremony and flag placing, a nod to Pietrangelo’s love of Christmas.
“I met all of his friends, and I feel like he had definitely found his place,” said Fancher. “They were missing him because he used to babysit all the stray cats and dogs they found.”
Fancher described her son as comedic, caring and big-hearted.
“He had a big heart and would help anybody with anything they needed help with,” said Fancher. “He loved animals. He just was always caring.”
Grief and uncertainty
Fancher concealed the news of her son’s death due to her grief as well as the uncertainty. She ultimately made the announcement at the urging of his fellow Boy Scouts, who will be installing a new flagpole and set of benches at the Hatboro Community Church on June 29 in Pietrangelo’s honor. A dedication ceremony will follow on July 27 at 1 p.m.
“They needed a formal announcement from me about my son’s death,” said Fancher. “I needed to do that anyway, and it was time, but it was just so painful to do.”
At Pennridge, Pietrangelo was a member of Boy Scout Troop 354, where he earned first place in the Hank Jones rifle and archery competitions in 2017. A native of Abington, he moved from the Upper Moreland School District to the Pennridge School District in 2014, attending Central Middle School and Pennridge High School.
A memorial service followed by a “Christmas in July-themed picnic Celebration of Life” is scheduled for July 26 at 3 p.m. Fancher’s Hilltown home. Fancher encourages interested attendees to contact her at thanatagg@gmail.com for additional details.
“It’s gonna be light-hearted,” said Fancher. “The vibe of the celebration is just accepting everybody as they are. You come as you are basically, and who you are and how you are is completely acceptable.”
Since Pietranglo’s passing, Fancher has planted a Christmas tree in front of her home, surrounded by Ukrainian and U.S. flags, in her son’s honor. She plans to keep his memory alive by adopting animals, keeping in close contact with his friends and embodying his caring spirit.
“I want to emphasize that he was a true hero, and I would like to honor him by living as he did with love and caring for others and spreading happiness,” said Fancher.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations: Believe Family Foundation, the R. T. Weatherman Foundation, the SPCA, Save Pets of Ukraine, Boy Scouts of America – Troop 354, Perseverance Fire Company and Silverdale Fire Company.
