Clement Newcamp's work ethic not only helped him spawn his own successful business, but it inspired five of his six surviving children to do the same.

"His kids were inspired to work hard by his example," said his daughter, Kate Dunn, of Indiana, Indiana County. "He loved to work hard, but he had a lot of fun, too."

Mr. Newcamp, of Indiana Township, founder of C&R Roofing and Air Conditioning LLC, died Saturday at home from cancer. He was 78.

Born Dec. 1, 1929 in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Joseph and Catherine Schultheis Newcamp. Before starting his own company, Mr. Newcamp had worked for Tyson Metals in Pittsburgh.

"But he was tired of the drive and tired of traffic, so he decided to start his own business," Ms. Dunn said.

Mr. Newcamp retired in 1988 at the age of 65. The business has continued under the guidance of two of his sons.

A private licensed pilot, Mr. Newcamp enjoyed flying his 1946 Piper J-3 Cub.

"He picked that up as a hobby in the early 1970s," said Ms. Dunn. "He used to fly from his own private airstrip in Allison Park, where he had his business."

His love of flying was something he shared with family members.

"I flew in that with him a lot," said his grandson, Richard Goeller. "That was a really cool plane."

The pair used to fly to Lock Haven every year for a Piper J-3 Cub rally. Mr. Goeller said his grandfather inspired him to become a pilot, and he is now a pilot for Sky West Airlines.

Mr. Newcamp had memberships in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the West Deer Pilot Club, the Butler County Pilots Association and the Wexford American Legion.

In addition to flying, Mr. Newcamp liked to travel in his motor home with his wife. For the past 15 years, they concentrated on touring Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

He enjoyed hunting -- especially big game hunting in the West -- and boarded horses on his farm. He continued to work his farm until just a few months ago.

One of his favorite things to do was to attend the annual Bluegrass Festival in Tarentum.

He also had a talent for making ornamental items out of sheet metal, said Mr. Goeller.

Mr. Newcamp was an Army veteran who served as a corporal in Korea during the Korean War.

He was a lifetime member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Harmar.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernadette Stegman Newcamp, of Indiana Township; and five other children: Theresa Goeller, of O'Hara; Donald Newcamp, of Marietta, Ga.; Daniel Newcamp, of Indiana; Timothy Newcamp, of Nesbitt, Miss., and Brian Newcamp of Indiana Township; 20 grandchildren and a sister, Mary Ladie, of Lititz.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Newcamp, and two brothers.

Services were held Monday at St. Catherine of Sweden Church, in Hampton, followed by private graveside services with full military honors in St. Mary Cemetery, O'Hara.