Robert Dilworth
Age - 85
November 22, 2023
Robert F. Dilworth traded the bonds of this earth for his new heavenly home on November 17, 2023 at the age of 85 surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home. Robert (Bob), the first of five children, was born on a farm near Lansdale, Pennsylvania on February 26, 1938 to Frederick and Elizabeth (Rohs) Dilworth. Bob spent his early years in Pennsylvania where as a young boy he sat in the backyard one night and to the heavens said, "God, if you are real, show me. " The night sky lit up with the most amazing display of shooting stars the like he had never seen before or again since. That one night with our heavenly Father began his lifetime quest for God. At 19, Bob met his beautiful bride-to-be, Nancy Wheeler, while working on the Asian flu vaccine at Merck, Sharp & Dohme in West Point, Pennsylvania. Two years later they married on May 9, 1959. A short honeymoon was followed by a very long drive to the newly admitted state of Alaska. That Alaskan adventure lasted nine years and produced five children, many great experiences which included hunting and fishing, flying planes, tuning pianos, and a new mission in life--to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After starting and pastoring a home mission church in Delta Junction, Alaska, Bob decided he needed a more complete education in the word of God. So, in 1968 he drove the family to Houston, Texas where he enrolled in Texas Bible College (TBC). From student to teacher, Bob stayed at TBC for 10 years. Moving the family to Western Apostolic Bible College (now Christian Life College) in Stockton, California in 1978 he continued equipping new ministers to share the love of Jesus to the world. He then moved to the role of Principal for Stockton Christian School where he retired in 1989 from full-time ministry. From there, Bob stayed involved with Christian education by helping Christian schools in California navigate the new asbestos regulations that threatened their viability. He was always active and learning new things, from a summer job in a pharmaceutical lab, to a nuclear power health physicist, pilot, pastor, teacher, principal, asbestos inspector, real estate investor, car collector, bee keeper, piano tuner, prune orchard farmer and more, one thing prevailed, his love for God and his nurturing of family. Bob was able to fulfill his dream of retiring by the ocean with his devoted wife, Nancy. They spent many mornings overlooking the Atlantic ocean while sipping coffee, listening to the crashing waves and admiring God's creation from their condo deck at Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. Bob's profound influence on others will be fully known once we join him in heaven, but the stories we have heard here on earth speak to a profound difference in the lives of many. This amazing loving caring husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather was our special one and only Bob, Dad and Papa. We rejoice in a life well lived. Robert Dilworth is survived by his wife, Nancy, and five children, Kim Hennigan (husband Rudy) of Robeline, LA; Mike Dilworth (wife Leisa) of Sydney, AU; Bruce Dilworth of Stockton, CA; Cindy Puckett (husband Tyler) of Redding, CA; and Tom Dilworth (wife Cindy) of Lakeville, MN. Bob is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, two sisters - Barbara Brown and Donna Stoever, and an amazing number of nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration will be held in May 2024 in Almont, Pennsylvania near where Bob was raised and where he and Nancy launched their marriage and adventure together 65 years earlier. Interment will follow at Jerusalem Union Cemetery.Show more
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