Robert "Bob" Dale Sweringen

Robert “Bob” Dale Sweringen, 83, of Lancaster, passed away on March 8, 2015.

He was the husband of Jane Bruce Sweringen with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage this past June.  Born in Aliquippa, PA he was the son of the late Dale and Anna Sweringen.

Bob graduated from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA in 1953 with a B.A. in Business, majoring in accounting and minoring in Education.

Bob was selected by the U.S. Army in 1951 and received a deferred enlistment until he finished college.  He started basic training in September 1953 and then reported for duty at Fort Campbell, KY.  At Fort Campbell, he became involved in coordinating and creating a financial system for the base.  Six months after leaving the Army he received a certificate of service for his work on the project.

Bob joined Armstrong Cork Company in the fall of 1955.  He held many accounting positions in a variety of locations; accountant trainee and then assistant controller in Pensacola, FL, accounting staff member in the General Accounting Office in Lancaster, PA, assistant controller at the glass plant in Millville, NJ and then back to Lancaster as assistant controller of the packaging division.  Bob worked for Kerr Glass after Armstrong sold the packaging division.  He joined Howmet Aluminum in 1972 as controller of the rolling mill in Lancaster.  In 1973 he was promoted to General Manager of Prime Metals, a division of Howmet, and a Vice President of Howmet.  He moved to Grand Rapids, MI to run Prime Metals.  Under his leadership, Prime grew from three to five facilities and he retired in 1983 when Howmet sold the Prime division.  Following his retirement he started a new career teaching accounting.  He taught at Grand Rapids Community College and then Davenport Business College.  He returned to Lancaster and was hired at Franklin and Marshall College as an adjunct professor and taught Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting for nine years.

He juggled many hobbies throughout his life.  While in Grand Rapids he achieved his dream of owning a farm and raising White-Faced Polled Hereford Cattle.  His other interests included gardening, cycling, golfing, bowling and wood carving.  An avid bridge player he was a member of the national organization ACBL and achieved Regional Master status before illness ended his playing days.

Bob was an active church member in all the places he lived. He considered Bethany Presbyterian Church in Lancaster his home church. At Bethany he was Treasurer, and served as a Deacon and Elder.

Surviving besides his wife are three daughters, Kathianne Kennedy (Tal) of Lake Oswego, OR, Claudia Bacon (Eric) of Novelty, OH, and Sue Myer (Tim) of Davidsonville, MD; eight beloved grandchildren spread around the country; three sisters, Dolly Boyle of State College, Florence Hineman of Pittsburgh and Marianne Derick of Syracuse, NY; and a brother Richard of Beaver, PA.

Funeral Services and interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Isaiah’s Inn, Inc. 314 S. Lincoln Ave., Clearwater, FL  33756 or to Water Street Ministries, 210 S. Prince St., Lancaster, PA  17603.