Obituaries

Robert Singleton Sherrard, 92

March 20, 2014

Robert Singleton Sherrard, star athlete, businessman, husband and father, died on March 20, 2014, at Brethren Village Retirement Community at age 92. He was born December 1, 1921, in Elkton, MD, the third son of Joseph Holmes Sherrard III and Amy Wiliams Sherrard. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Hemperly Sherrard, with whom he would have celebrated seventy years of marriage in June. He is also survived by his three children: Linda Reidenbaugh (Thomas) and Pamela Rosenberger, both of Lancaster, and Robert Sherrard Jr., (Maria), of Charleston, WV; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Becker Weyandt, Kati Becker Green, Leigh and Ruth Rosenberger, and Christina, Robert III, and Emily Sherrard; five great-grandchildren; and sisters Mary Ann Beeler of Lancaster and Sandra Crinnion of Oakland, CA. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Joseph Sherrard IV of Sacramento, CA, and Hugh Sherrard of Harrisburg, and sister, Primrose Gainer of Pequea.

Growing up in Pequea and practicing athletics at the Lancaster YMCA, Bob became a state champion gymnast and district champion pole vaulter, for which he was inducted into the J.P. McCaskey High School Hall of Fame from the class of 1940. His pole vault school record of 12’6″ using a bamboo pole stood for 20 years, and was eventually broken only with a fiberglass pole. In college at the Virginia Military Institute he was Southern Conference Champion in both wrestling and pole vaulting, and he was also inducted into the VMI Hall of Fame.

Bob’s entire junior class at VMI was drafted to serve in World War II in 1943. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne Paratroopers in Okinawa. Later stationed in Japan during the post-war occupation, he supervised Japanese skilled labor in the 11th Airborne Sector.

He returned to VMI in 1946 to complete his senior year, and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1947. After working for several years at Dan River Mills in Danville, VA, he again returned to VMI as instructor of engineering and wrestling coach. His team won Southern Conference Championship, but after only one year he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, where his Division built roads to outpost positions and removed enemy minefields.

Bob began his career in general construction in 1952, working for several contractors as an estimator and engineer. In 1971 he cofounded his own company in Lebanon and subsequently Lancaster, Consolidated Construction, building many significant commercial projects in the 1970s and 80s including the original Penn National Race Course. He was president until he sold the business in 1988, then continued as consulting engineer for the new owner. Even well into retirement he worked part time as management representative during construction for Wyeth Laboratories and Lampeter-Strasburg School District.

Bob loved his family heritage and did much research of family history and genealogy, especially related to the Civil War era in Virginia. He enjoyed encouraging others in athletics, informally teaching gymnastics to neighborhood children at his home in Manheim Township, and later coaching diving for the Lancaster Aquatic Club. He maintained a lifelong goal of being active and physically fit, and even at age 90 taught himself the game of pool and played several times a week.

Private services and burial in Boehm’s United Methodist Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorials in Bob’s honor may be sent to the Lancaster YMCA, 265 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603, where Bob had been an enthusiastic member.

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Condolences to the Family

March 26, 2014

Dear Ruth and Sherrard Family,
 I remember walking back and forth between yards growing up and having you and Bob as neighbors in Beverly Estates. It’s sad when your family grows, how you lose touch of neighbors. Bob was always so kind to all the kids in the neighborhood while we lived there.Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family at this time of your great loss.
Jennifer (Cooke) Maketansky and Jeff Cooke

March 25, 2014

Dear Bob Sherrard Family,
our condolences on passing away of this fine man. My wife Heidi , through swimming in Manheim Twp and I through my dealings with Bob’s company during my RRDonnelley years gave us ample time to have known him and some of the family. God be with you all.
 
Herwig and Heidi Schutzler

March 24, 2014

To the family of Robert Sherrard.  This is Josie Newhard, a courtyards resident that lived across the hall from your late father.
Although we did not socialize much, except to say hello, I was well aware of the loving care from your family visits.
Robert sat at our dining table.  I read from your fathers obituary that he had a wonderful life and was very talented.  I am sure that he passed on his abilities to you.  Peolpe say that time heals, it has not yet for me.  I hope it does not take too long for you.  I also hope that you have many wonderful memories.  Josie Newhard, Courtyard room #317 Brethren Village.

March 24, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  I remember tagging along with my father and grandfather to VMI and meeting (Great) Uncle Bob there. A great man who lived a full and accomplished life. 
– Joey, Kate, James and Joseph Sherrard

March 23, 2014

Our heartfelt condolences to the Sherrard Family. A donation was made to the Lancaster Family YMCA in Lancaster, PA, to honor the life of Robert Singleton Sherrard. Our love and prayers are with you – Kris Blair, Marsha Hoyer, Frannie Rollins, Debby Sokolosky, Kathleen Bors, and Families.

March 23, 2014

Dear Bob and Maria and Sherrard family, 
Sending our love and prayers. 
Kris Blair, Marsha Hoyer, Frannie Rollins, Marsha Hoyer and Kathleen Bors

March 23, 2014

So sorry to hear about your father this morning, but what a joy to read about his life. Wish I could have known him. Will be thinking about you and your family as you move forward without him.
Peace to you and yours, Lisa Huffman Bair

March 22, 2014

Ruth and Family, thinking of you all at this time, and how sad but proud you must be.  Prayers and Peace.  Catherine (Harman) Eiler, St. Louis, MO

March 22, 2014

My deepest sympathy to all the Sherrards… He was a kind sweet man.. Always a smile on his face. I loved seeing him and Ruth on my trips to see Pam… His sweet , kind demeneur will be missed.. Gail  and Dan Batchelor

March 22, 2014

Dear Sherrard Family,
Although we did not know Mr. Sherrard, we saw in his obit that he was a graduate and member of the “VMI Family.” Our oldest son Sean was a graduate of the Class of 2013, serving as the Regimental Commanding Officer (RCO). 
Please accept our deepest condolences of the loss of Mr. Sherrard. It is clear that he truly made a difference.
V/R
The Greg Noll Family
(SMSgt – USAF Retired)

March 22, 2014

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family.   I swam with Linda and Pam on the Lancaster Aquatic Club when their Father was a diving coach.  My daughter Kati was named after Linda’s daughter Kati which they both share the same Birthday and at that time we attended the same Church in Lancaster.   Take Care and God Bless
Sincerely,
Jo (Stein) Grimes, 8647 Fairlane Dr, Olmsted Twp, OH  44138

March 22, 2014

Hello,  I just wanted to let you all know how kind your father/granddad/husband was to me as a child.  I will never forget all the trips to swim at the Y on Friday evenings and always being welcomed in your home to play.  He was a great influence on me to continue swimming when I was young.
I also enjoyed seeing your parents at soccer games when Jess and Ruthie played. 
I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
 
With love ~~  Marcia Simeral

March 22, 2014

Dear Ruth and family,
How saddened I am to hear of Bob’s passing. I was so privileged to have known him for the 10 years that I worked at Consolidated. He was such a man of honesty and integrity. He always spoke of his family with such pride and love. I never heard him speak ill of anyone. I will always hold him in the highest regard. I am glad he kept so active in his later years of life, yet I am not surprised at this either.  He was one of the most special people to me and I will never forget him. He ranks right up there with my late grandfather, who lived to the age of 93 and whom I adored and respected so much. My grandparents were also married 70 years, so I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for Ruth. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. He certainly lived a fulfilling life and those who were lucky enough to know him were truly blessed. May you all find peace and comfort  in the days ahead.  Sincerely, Karen (Graham) Kuhn 

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