Robert C. Boyer

Robert (“Bob”) Charles Boyer, 86, of Millersville passed away on February 19th after a brief illness.

Bob was born on July 14th, 1925 in Johnstown, PA, the son of the late Frank R. and Mona Griffith Boyer. The family moved to Lancaster in 1935, and Bob remained in the greater Lancaster area until his death.

He attended Lancaster public schools, graduating from McCaskey High in the class of ’43. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served from 1943 to 1950. During this time, the Navy sent him to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Yale, where he completed degrees in Engineering, specializing in Radar Technology. Bob then spent several years on active duty, serving on the USS Valley Forge while attaining the rank of Lieutenant.

After honorable discharge from the Navy, Bob returned to Lancaster and married Virginia (“Ginny”) Anne Miller of Lancaster in 1951. Bob worked for his father installing furnaces for a few years, and then joined RCA as a registered professional engineer. He left RCA after 10 years and joined Armstrong Cork Company, where he worked for 10 years as a project engineer.

Bob was a member of the Lancaster Kiwanis Club since 1951, and served as president in 1961. He was an avid musician and excellent singer, performing in numerous local productions of Broadway shows, barbershop quartets, the church choir and the Wesley Singers. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Lancaster.

In 1969, Bob was elected Manheim Township Commissioner where he served two 4-year terms, the last as President of the Board. Moving full time into politics, Bob left Armstrong and served two terms as a Lancaster County Commissioner (1980-1988), the last term as Chairman.

Bob retired in 1989, but applied his political acumen when needed by friends and relatives. In 2002, he advised the PALE (People against Landfill Expansion) organization and was instrumental in helping overturn the expansion. Bob also served as president of the Millersville “Meals on Wheels” program and served on the board for several years.

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virginia, a sister Harriet Boyer Adams (Indianapolis, IN), a son, Robert and his wife Carol Hansen (Los Gatos, CA) a daughter Leigh (Landisville), 5 grandchildren: Canaan Boyer (Boston, MA), Dexter Pope (US Navy), Brian Bobb (Fairfield, CA), Craig Bobb (San Jose, CA), and Emily Bobb (Boston Mass); and 2 great-grandchildren Alex and Elizabeth Bobb (Fairfield, CA).

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service in the First United Methodist Church, corner of Duke and Walnut Sts., Lancaster, PA on Friday, February 24th at 11:00 A.M. Family will greet friends on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory may be sent to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.