Robert P. Somerfield, 85

Robert P. Somerfield, 85, of 22 United Zion Circle, Lititz, PA, crossed the threshold June 27^th, 2006 from pancreatic cancer.

Robert was born in Lancaster, the son of the late Walter and Mary Buckwalter Somerfield. He and his beloved wife, Nancy Welchans Somerfield, also a Lancaster native, were married in 1949. They lived on the Willow Street Pike until 1997 before moving to Lititz.

He served as a first Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, inducted in June 1942, serving in the European Theatre in World War II, and was discharged in December 1945. He was in communications on B-26s.

Robert worked at the Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, PA until it closed, and then moved onto the Mechanicsburg Naval Base, where he worked in civil service until retiring in 1984. He took an early retirement to help care for his daughter, who suffered from a brain tumor.

He was a former member of the Barbershoppers, sang in several church choirs where Nancy served as the organist, and was a member of the AARP Chorus for over 20 years. He was designated as the “Official Hugger” .

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Janis M. wife of John Lloyd, Tyrone PA, two granddaughters, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers. He was preceded in death by a cherished daughter, Donna J., who died in 1988, and one brother and two sisters.

The life celebration service will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA with the Rev. John Houdeshel officiating. There will be no viewing and please omit flowers, making contributions in Robert’s memory to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr., Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125;  The United Zion Retirement Community, 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 or to the Milagro House,  320 S. Christian St., Lancaster, PA 17602.