Charles Robert Dancer

Charles Robert Dancer Charles Robert (Bob) Dancer, died at home on January 4 after an extended illness with cancer. Bob was born on April 5, 1934, in Allentown, NJ, the son of Charles and Mary Dancer of New Egypt, NJ. He grew up in New Egypt and graduated from the University of New Jersey at Trenton with a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering. Bob went on to achieve many advanced certifications from Harvard University, Wharton School of Business and other institutes of higher learning, including a certification of Professional Engineering, the highest certification in his profession. Shortly thereafter on November 27, 1958, he married his childhood sweetheart, June Gale, of New Egypt. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary here in Hilton Head Island, SC. Bob served in the US Army reserves artillery division, retiring as a highly decorated Colonel after 29 years of service. Bob began a career with Allied Signal Corporation (now Honeywell) in 1973 where he rose to the office of Senior Vice President. He traveled extensively throughout the world in this capacity. Bob spent 25 years with Allied, then moved to Hilton Head Island in 1998 with his wife, June, when he retired. Bob was mentor to many young professionals who have advanced in their careers to positions as Vice President, Director and Manager of major fortune 100 companies. He was so respected by his peers that in 1987 he was elected President of the American Society of Safety Engineers and later that year became a Fellow of that organization. The Fellow Honor is the highest anyone can achieve in the organization. Bob was the second Safety Professional to be awarded the "Safety Professional of the Year Award in 1979. He spent his entire career working for others. Their will be moment of silence for our friend "Charlie" at the National Convention to be held in San Antonio, Texas in June. He will remain to be the bench mark for us all to aspire to. Bob's interests after retirement always included his many friends. Before he became seriously ill, he was an avid runner, finishing a daily five miles before most of us had even thought about getting up. He also loved playing golf despite his inability to "conquer" the game, as he often jokingly put it, and he loved to travel. His chief love, however, was gardening. Bob was always the "go to" guy when there was a question about how to make things grow. In addition to his wife, June, Bob is survived by his son Daryl, and his wife, Karen and grand-children, Claire and Brent of Marlton, New Jersey, son Douglas and grand-daughter, Samantha of Navarre, Florida and son Craig , and his wife Helina and grand-children Cullen and Emma of Leesburg, Virginia, also his sisters Shirley and husband Walter Spengler of Naples, Florida, Phyllis and husband Russell Foulks of New Egypt, New Jersey, Carol and husband Lester Johnson of New Egypt, New Jersey, and his brothers David, and wife Barbara of Gloucester, Massachusetts and James of Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Bob is also survived by his three adoptive grandchildren, Tara and Danielle Williams and Scott Brown. A celebration of Bob's life will take place at St. Francis By-The-Sea Catholic Church in Hilton Head Island, SC, with Military Honors on January 8, 2009, with Mass at 10:30 AM. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: The Army Emergency Relief Fund, Attention: Donations, 200 Stovall Street, Room 5-N-13, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600, in memory of Colonel Charles R. Dancer, US Army Retired. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.