Obituary of Robert Abraham Ford, Jr.

Robert A. Ford, Jr. August 17, 1942-December 2, 2020 Robert "Bob" Abraham Ford, Jr., 78, of Mullica Hill, NJ, went home to be with our Lord on December 2, 2020, after a brave, two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma cancer of the spinal cord. His loving wife of 52 years, children, and grandchildren were by his side. Born on August 17, 1942, in East Stroudsburg, PA, Bob was the adoring husband of Janice Elaine (Schiebel) Ford, and the son of the late Robert Abraham Ford, Sr., and Esther Rebecca (Lambert) Ford. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carol Melissa Ford of Wenonah, NJ, and Barbara Lyn Reim and her husband Jeffrey L. Reim of Sewell, NJ; two grandsons, Benjamin Nathan Reim and his wife Ashley (Krebs) Reim of Berlin, NJ, and Adam Michael Reim of Sewell, NJ; one brother, Karl W. Ford of Parrish, FL; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by one brother, Lawrence "Larry" L. Ford. Bob was a member of the Sewell Community Baptist Church in Sewell, NJ. Bob was deeply spiritual and held a strong faith in God. During the 1960s, Bob volunteered with the Stroudsburg Fire Department in Stroudsburg, PA. After graduating from Stroudsburg High School in Stroudsburg, PA, in 1960, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 14, 1960, and he proudly served in active duty during the Cold War era until he was honorably discharged on October 10, 1966. Following his service in the Air Force, Bob attended Parks University in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated with certification in aircraft maintenance. Bob was employed as an aircraft mechanic for nearly four decades, first with Eastern Airlines beginning on January 7, 1968, in Boston, MA, where he worked for two years before transferring to Philadelphia, PA. Bob was employed with Eastern Airlines until March 4, 1989, after which he was employed with American Airlines, also in Philadelphia, until his retirement on January 29, 2005. Bob was a highly respected member of the airline industry, and he received numerous letters of commendation for his dedication to aircraft safety and maintenance. Bob was an active member of the Pitman Masonic Lodge #197, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1988 and 2014. Also in 2016, Bob served as Grand Chaplain of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey. In addition, he was a member of the Royal Arch, Joshua Chapter #51 and the Knights Templar, Cyrene Commandery #7. Bob and Jan were married on February 24, 1968, and throughout their lives together, they were inseparable. Together, Bob and Jan enjoyed caring for their pets (two cats, Sophie and Sabrina, and their little dog, RJ), taking bus trips, biking, going for walks, spending their lunchtimes at the Gloucester County Senior Center, and volunteering at the Pitman Masonic Lodge (particularly the monthly breakfast and summer chicken barbeque) and other local Masonic lodges. Above all, Bob enjoyed being with his family. On December 18, 1994, Bob went into liver failure, which nearly took his life. He was evaluated for a liver transplant, which he received on February 12, 1996. From then on, he became known as a "Miracle Man," having been diagnosed with many serious health conditions, including prostate cancer and bladder cancer, all of which he battled and overcame. In April 2018, Bob was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma of the spinal cord, to which he eventually succumbed. Private services will be held for the immediate family. Interment will be in Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation made in Bob's memory to the charity of one's choice.