ROBERT LAMONT

LAMONT
REVEREND DR. ROBERT J.
The Reverend Dr. Robert J. Lamont, 92, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2012, at Palm Garden of Vero Beach. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was a resident of Indian River Estates in Vero Beach, FL for the past 22 years. Previously he lived in Bryn Mawr, PA. Robert received many degrees including Bachelor of Arts in 1941 from Maryville College TN; Bachelor of Theology in 1944 from Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ; Master of Theology from Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary, PA in 1947; Doctor of Divinity from Maryville College, TN in 1954; Doctor of Theology, Waynesburg College PA in 1954; Doctor of Humane Letters, Geneva College, PA in 1959; Doctor of Letters from Grove City College, PA in 1974; and Doctor of Laws from Ursinus College, PA in 1977. Ordained by the Philadelphia, PA Presbytery, United Presbyterian Church in the USA, in June, 1941, Robert's first pastorate was at the First Presbyterian Church in Darby, PA from 1943 to 1947. He then served the Narberth Presbyterian Church in Narberth, PA from 1947 to 1953. In 1953, Robert became the tenth pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA where he served for 20 years. Originally founded by George Washington's chaplain, the church celebrated its bicentennial in 1973. With a membership exceeding 2000, the church had an active ministry involving upwards of 8,000 men, women and children each week as well as a nationwide radio ministry. In 1973, he became the President and CEO of the oldest life insurance company in America, Presbyterian Ministers Fund, in Philadelphia, PA. The Fund was started by Benjamin Franklin in 1717 and incorporated in 1759. Robert retired as Chairman in 1989. During his career and even in retirement, Robert served on numerous boards offering his unique prospective on life, governance and theology. In 1956, he joined the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham and others in founding the magazine, CHRISTIANITY TODAY. He continued to serve as a trustee of the magazine's corporation for 41 years. Other boards where he served many years were Grove City College, PA (33 years), and Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary, MA (31 years). Although retired, Robert served for ten years on the board of ACTS Life- Retirement Communities, Inc., PA. ACTS is the owner of Indian River Estates. Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Edna Lamont; son, Robert J. Lamont, Jr. and daughters, Edna Karen Shuter and Joanne Marie Hathorn, all of Vero Beach, FL; grandson, Joshua Hathorn of Bradenton, FL; step- granddaughter, Katherine Sumpter of Atlanta, GA; and, sisters, Doris Weikel of Perkasie, PA and Eleanor Latham of Lansdale, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marie Lamont and a sister, Janet (Jenny) Germann. A visitation will be held at AYCOCK FUNERAL HOME, Fort Pierce, FL on Friday March 30, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Dr. Leslie Koerselman of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach officiating. Entombment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, FL. Arrangements are under the care of Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce, FL. Friends may visit the online guest register book at
www.aycock-hillcrest.com
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