Robert J. Evans

Robert J. Evans, 61, of Leesport, died February 27, 2009 at home. He was the husband of Cassandra L. (Gehris) Evans. They would have celebrated 40 years of marriage on April 11. He is survived by his daughter, Ericka Evans-Loos, wife of John Loos III, and sons, Phillip and Christopher. He was a wonderful husband and father, who strove to instill perseverance, honesty, and hard work as values to live by.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Catherine (Purcell) Evans. Bob is survived by sisters, Marie, wife of William Ferro, and Sheila, wife of Martin Mengel, a brother, John, and his father-in-law, William Gehris. Bob was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Schuylkill Technology Center, and held degrees from Lehigh Community and Marywood Colleges.

He was a senior buyer analyst for the Metropolitan Edison Company and retired after 27 years of employment. In December, 2003, Bob began employment as a licensed practical nurse at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, last working in October, 2009. Bob's service there proved to be a very meaningful and fulfilling profession to him.

Bob was U.S. Army veteran, and completed a stint in the National Guard. He held many volunteer positions with Cub and Boy Scout Troop 190, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and completed advanced leadership Wood Badge training. He received GPU's 1996 Volunteer Award. Bob also provided leadership with the Carl Anspach American Legion Post and had been a member of Kutztown University's Civil War Round Table.

Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, reading history books, especially those concentrating on the Civil War and World War II eras. He also enjoyed traveling, listening to music, working with his hands and providing sound financial advice.

Burial will be private in Good Shepherd Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 South Robeson Street, Robesonia, where he was a member, on Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Robert Evans Lebanon VA Memorial Fund, c/o VIST Financial, 909 West Leesport Road, Leesport, PA 19533.

Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc, Laureldale is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.christfuneralhome.com.