Robert W. Ewart, Jr. Obituary (1917 - 2012)

Robert Wilson Ewart, Jr. was born on January 16, 1917, in Philadelphia. He and his older brother Joe were raised by his father and aunt Jeannie after his mother and twin sister died shortly after his birth. He graduated from Northeast High School in Kensington in 1935. He went on to complete courses in accounting at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, and Temple University. He first met his wife of sixty-seven years, Betty, at Mayfair Presbyterian Church in 1932. They started dating in 1940 and were engaged in 1942. Following his three-year service in the European theater, including driving a jeep onto Normandy Beach during the D-Day invasion in World War II, Robert (Bob) and Betty married in 1945. They lived in Philadelphia and had three children, Robert Lawrence, Janice, and Barbara. He worked at Philco Corporation in Philadelphia for twenty-nine years before moving on to the Philadelphia Presbytery for another twenty-five. In the early 1950s, he pursued his childhood dream of having his own house at the shore on the beaches of Avalon, New Jersey. Bob and Betty eventually settled in a house on 14th Street and have maintained a residence there ever since. They also became involved at Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church in Avalon where Bob served on the governing committee for fifty-years; chairman of the committee for over twenty-five years; and Betty played the organ for fifty years. Besides his involvement with Wells, Bob spent his summers in Avalon avidly cheering for the Phillies and swimming in the ocean. Bob and Betty moved from Philadelphia to Cinnaminson, New Jersey, in 1962 as their family was growing. They became members of Covenant Presbyterian Church during its inaugural year and remained members, now totaling more than fifty years. Bob was the oldest living member of Covenant. Eventually, Bob and Betty moved to Willow Valley Retirement Communities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1993. They have always traveled to visit all of their family members, including six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Bob always made a special effort to encourage them in whatever they chose to do. During life celebrations he always thanked God for his many blessings of faith, family, friends, and good health. Bob leaves the legacy of an unparalleled life full of love, faith, and accomplishments, including his everlasting love for Betty. From the beaches of Normandy, to the city of Philadelphia, through the fulfillment of his dream in Avalon, he lived a blessed and fulfilled life. Robert passed away at the age of 95 on July 13, 2012. His memorial service will be held Saturday July 28, 2012 at Covenant Presbyterian Church 2618 New Albany Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077. Relatives and friends are invited greet his family prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Church. Interment and military honors will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. A service of remembrance will be held Sunday, September 2, 2012, following the 10:00 AM worship service at Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church, First Avenue at Ninth Street Avalon, New Jersey 08202. In lieu of flowers memorials to Covenant Presbyterian Church 2618 New Albany Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 or Hospice of Lancaster County * 685 Good Drive * P.O. Box 4125 * Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 would be appreciated.