Final Salute

Robert J. Solder, Sr. Obituary

Robert John Solder, Sr., 71, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the afternoon of Sunday, February 17, 2019, at the Chambersburg Hospital.

He was born on January 9, 1948, in Chambersburg, a son of the late Edward J. and Mary R. Eberly Solder. Robert was U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, enlisting on January 25, 1967 and honorably discharged on November 28, 1969. He married Lynda J. Miller on June 23, 1973, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bethel, CT.

Robert worked as an engineer and surveyor for Michael J. Baker, Inc., Beaver, PA, for thirty-three years, retiring in 2003. He was a member of the Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Shippensburg, and its Knights of Columbus Council #12551.

Robert was well known for the annual Memorial Day and Labor Day party’s that he had been hosting on his farm since 1988. He was also known for his smoked ribs and mastery of the grill. Robert was a big fan of the New England Patriots and New York Giants. The two football teams that his nephew, Nate, played for. Also, Hawaii was a favorite and special place for Robert and his family to travel too. He enjoyed it so much, that they traveled there more than twenty times.

In addition to his wife of forty-five years, Lynda, he is survived by two sons, Robert John “Rob” Solder and wife Layla of Canton, NC and Thomas J. “Tom” Solder and wife Emily of Chapel Hill, NC; two grandsons, Kenai J. Solder and Caeden J. Solder, both of Canton, NC; granddaughter, Sonja J. Solder of Canton, NC; two brothers, Edward L. Solder of Leadville, CO and David P. Solder of Kerrsville, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Doris R. Walker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, February 22, 2019, at the Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Shippensburg. Father Dwight Schlaline will officiate. Interment with military honors conducted by the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion, Post #223, Shippensburg, will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made to the American Cancer Society.