Robert
Robert E. Smith, Sr.
d. May 4, 2009
On Monday, May 4, 2009, Robert E. Smith, Sr., 88, Lancaster, PA, changed his permanent residence to Heaven to peacefully be with His Lord and to be reunited with his beloved wife, Evelyn, who preceded him on the journey. Born at home in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Pierce Franklin Smith and Margaret Estelle Stouch Smith.
Bob was blessed to enjoy 66 years of marriage to the late Evelyn Smith of Lancaster.
After losing his mother at three months of age, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Amanda Stouch, and his maternal aunt and her husband, Lila and Montreville Smith. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s U.C.C., later becoming the Church of the Apostles. Bob served at the church as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, and a helper at the Food Pantry and at Camp Andrews.
Bob was always proud to tell you that he graduated in the first class from the newly-built coed J.P. McCaskey High School in 1938. While in high school, he participated in football, wrestling, and tennis.
Bob met the love of his life at the Philadelphia Train Station when they both were on their way to work for the summer at Camp Diamond, New Hampshire. In 1942, they eloped to Rising Sun, Maryland.
Shortly thereafter, the 4112th Army Air Force Battalion Unit called him into service. As a sergeant, Bob served in North Africa and Sicily during World War II. Upon his return to the United States, “Smitty,” as he was known by his co-workers, worked as a machine accountant in the Payroll Department at Armstrong for more than forty years.
Bob had a wide range of interests. He involved his whole family in his love of traveling to places like Wildwood, NJ, and Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania. Sports, especially golf and bowling, gardening and crossword puzzles were also passions of his. He served others as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a poll worker at election time, a ticket seller at Franklin and Marshall football games, and as an entertainment coordinator for Artisans.
Mr. Smith is survived by three daughters, Jean E., wife of Ronald L. Woland of Silverdale, PA, Susan L. wife of Gerald H. Ackerman, Sr., of Lancaster, and Evelyn Ann, wife of Richard Henderson of Coatesville, PA; one son, Robert E. Smith, Jr., of East Petersburg, a brother, George Smith of Manheim; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Rodney and Kenneth Smith.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service from the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 141 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA, on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. with his grandson, the Rev. Gerald H. Ackerman, Jr., officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster. If desired, contributions in Mr. Smith’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Bob was blessed to enjoy 66 years of marriage to the late Evelyn Smith of Lancaster.
After losing his mother at three months of age, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Amanda Stouch, and his maternal aunt and her husband, Lila and Montreville Smith. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s U.C.C., later becoming the Church of the Apostles. Bob served at the church as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, and a helper at the Food Pantry and at Camp Andrews.
Bob was always proud to tell you that he graduated in the first class from the newly-built coed J.P. McCaskey High School in 1938. While in high school, he participated in football, wrestling, and tennis.
Bob met the love of his life at the Philadelphia Train Station when they both were on their way to work for the summer at Camp Diamond, New Hampshire. In 1942, they eloped to Rising Sun, Maryland.
Shortly thereafter, the 4112th Army Air Force Battalion Unit called him into service. As a sergeant, Bob served in North Africa and Sicily during World War II. Upon his return to the United States, “Smitty,” as he was known by his co-workers, worked as a machine accountant in the Payroll Department at Armstrong for more than forty years.
Bob had a wide range of interests. He involved his whole family in his love of traveling to places like Wildwood, NJ, and Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania. Sports, especially golf and bowling, gardening and crossword puzzles were also passions of his. He served others as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a poll worker at election time, a ticket seller at Franklin and Marshall football games, and as an entertainment coordinator for Artisans.
Mr. Smith is survived by three daughters, Jean E., wife of Ronald L. Woland of Silverdale, PA, Susan L. wife of Gerald H. Ackerman, Sr., of Lancaster, and Evelyn Ann, wife of Richard Henderson of Coatesville, PA; one son, Robert E. Smith, Jr., of East Petersburg, a brother, George Smith of Manheim; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Rodney and Kenneth Smith.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service from the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 141 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA, on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. with his grandson, the Rev. Gerald H. Ackerman, Jr., officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster. If desired, contributions in Mr. Smith’s memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
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