Robert D. Baldwin

Robert Drury Baldwin, 89, died shortly after the evening of Sept. 1, 2010. Born on Nov. 10, 1920, in Washington, D. C, he was the son of Virgil Grant and Ruth Barrows Baldwin. He graduated from the University of Maryland on 1942 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation he joined the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), but soon after, joined the U. S. Army where he rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After the war, he rejoined the PRR and enjoyed numerous rapid promotions that moved his family all over Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Later in life he worked for Day & Zimmerman Company and retired as a Vice President with Booker & Associates. Immediately upon retirement he accepted various teaching positions and that of project management in the Military District of Research and Development in Virginia, for the U. S. Army, leaving the Army at the age of 84. After moving back to Philadelphia, to be closer to his children, Bob volunteered for The Franklin Institute, traveled extensively from Australia to Norway and sponsored numerous family reunions/vacations for his children and their families. Bob survived his wife, Dorothy Evans Baldwin, who died in 1994. He spoke of her fondly after her death noting that she gave him love, purpose and inspiration for his life. Bob is survived by his four children and their spouses: Patricia and Wolfgang Fischer, Robert and Jeanette Baldwin, Russell and Lucy Baldwin and Barbara and Ed Surrey; grandchildren: Emma and Ben Waterhouse, Tyson and Dayna Fischer, David Bogardus, Will Baldwin and Graham Baldwin; and his one great granddaughter, Chloe Waterhouse. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Russ and Peg Baldwin of Maryland; numerous nieces and nephews and his dear friend Suzanne King of Virginia. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Garnet Baldwin. His greatest legacy is that of his progeny who gave him great joy, especially in the later years of his life. He was a member, and/or past member, of the Sons of the American Revolution, Colonial Society of Pennsylvania, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the PRR retired former employees' club. A service for the immediate family will be held at St. James-the-Less Episcopal Church in Germantown, where his remains will be buried with those of his wife. Memorial services will follow at dates later to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Franklin Institute by contacting Andria Ayer, Annual Giving Manager, 215 448 1339, aayer@fi.edu. Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home, Inc., www.chadwickmckinney.com.