Robert M. Forrest

1936 - 2022

Robert M.
Forrest
Robert Maxwell Forrest, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 19, 2022, in Venetia, PA. He was the husband of the late Jane (Lachno) Forrest. They had been married for 54 years at the time of her passing on Sept. 6, 2020.
Born on July 10, 1936, in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Kenneth E. and Mary (Derby) Forrest.
Robert graduated from the former Summit Hill High School in 1954. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1958 with a degree in business. He was a proud alumni of both schools.
He was employed as an insurance agent for Nationwide Insurance Company after taking over his Uncle Wilbur Derby's business in the early 1970s, until his retirement in 1999.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a longtime chairman of the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade Committee and was honored as the Grand Marshal in 1998. His patriotic love of our country was obvious to all who knew him.
Robert was a member of Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill, where he served as an elder and sang with the church choir for many years. He was a member of Carbon Lodge No. 242 F. & A.M.
He served as a member of American Fire Company No. 1, Lansford, and was a longtime member of Lions Club International.
He was a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association and a former member of the Carbon County Alumni Chapter. He was an active member and past president of the Panther Valley Band Boosters.
Robert enjoyed spending time with his family at Rehoboth Beach and Greenwood Lake and was an avid Penn State fan. He enjoyed watching old movies and spending "Socially Distanced Happy Hours" in his front yard with his dear Lee Street neighbors during the pandemic.
His engaging personality, infectious laugh, warm smile, kind heart, and generous soul will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Surviving are a son Kenneth of Summit Hill; a daughter, Wendy Forrest Edgar (Kenneth) of Venetia, PA; his "German son," Dirk Kruger of Essen, Germany; his beloved grandchildren, Samuel Edgar and Leah Edgar of Venetia; and a nephew, Mark Forrest of Hagerstown, MD.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, James Forrest.
Service: Funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, Hope of Christ Presbyterian, 44 W. White St., Summit Hill, with the Rev. Ruth Ann Christopher officiating. Interment with military honors, GAR Cemetery, East White Street, Summit Hill. Call 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Masks are required for all attending the viewings and the funeral. Contributions in his name may be made to the church, 18250, or to the Summit Hill Historical Soc., 1 W. Hazard St., Summit Hill, PA 18250. Online condolences may be signed at
www.parambofh.com.