Robert D. "Bob" Edwards

Robert D. “Bob” Edwards, 88, of New Cumberland, born and raised in RD#3 Wyoming, Carverton, PA, died on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at UPMC West Shore, Mechanicsburg.

Bob retired from the state Department of Education in 1989 and held the positions of Acting Vocational Technical Education Bureau Director and Chief, Vocational Operations Division. He was a former Business Education teacher at Clarks Summit High School and Palisades High School in Upper Bucks County.

He was a graduate of Westmoreland High School in Trucksville, PA. He earned a BS in business education from Bloomsburg State College, and MS in distributive education from Temple University, where he also obtained a Vocational Education Directors certification. In addition, he would take vocational courses at both Oklahoma State and Florida State.

He served in the US Navy as a Journalist, which took him all over the world while stationed with Military Air Transport Corps. His favorite assignments stationed him in Honolulu, HI and San Diego, CA.

He was a member of Delta Pi Epsilon national honorary graduate fraternity in business education, served on the Board of the National Business Education Assc., and was a Board member of the West Shore Federal Teacher Credit Union. He served as a Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. He was a member of Harrisburg Lodge 629 F. & A.M., Consistory Valley of Harrisburg, Zembo Shrine Legion of Honor, and Cumberland County Shrine Club. Other memberships: Valley Grange 1360 – Lewisberry, Mountain Grange 567 – Carverton, American Vocational Assc., Susquehanna Power Squadron, Vocational Education Assc., and Wm. H. Nauss Post 143 American Legion – New Cumberland.

Bob was a member of Baughman United Methodist Church, New Cumberland, where he served on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, and was Chairperson of the Staff/Parish Relations Committee for several years. He also taught Sunday School.

His favorite pastimes were fishing and boating and spending time with family at Grindstone Island in the 1000 Islands. He also published a book about his beloved island: Grindstone, An Island World Remembered.

Surviving is his wife of 61 years, Phyllis (Crocker) Edwards; a son, Lloyd Edwards, (wife, Ann Louise) of New Cumberland; grandchildren, Bronwyn of Harrisburg, PA, Ryan of Salt Lake City, UT, and Eric of New Cumberland; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Tod Robert Edwards (dcd. 2014).

Public viewings will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 5-7PM at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland, as well as the next morning, Saturday, December 3, from 10AM-12PM at Baughman United Methodist Church, New Cumberland. Following Saturday’s viewing, a funeral service will begin at 12PM in the church. Burial will take place at 11AM on Monday, December 5 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Friday night’s viewing will include a brief Masonic service, and military honors will accompany Monday’s burial.

Memorial donations may be made to either Baughman United Methodist Church, New Cumberland (baughmanumc.org) or to the Clayton Fire Department – Fire Boat Fund, Clayton, NY (claytonfiredepartment.org).