Robert Gifford, Jr

Robert L. Gifford, Jr., 91, of The Highlands, Wyomissing, died Thursday, April 6, 2017.
Robert L. Gifford was born in West Newton, MA and graduated from Brown University in 1946 with degrees in Civil Engineering and Naval Science. He served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in World War II and Korea and in the US Navy Reserves, retiring in 1975. For 33 years he was a Structural Engineer at Gilbert Associates, Inc., retiring in 1984.
He was a Sunday school teacher, catechetical class teacher, longtime choir member, member of the church council, and volunteer at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, including many years at the Dove's Nest after school program. He was active with the Boy Scouts, serving in many roles including Wood Badge Staff and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 207. After he retired, he spent many hours volunteering at the Reading Hospital, and was the first recipient of the Bob Gifford Legacy Award for volunteerism. He was also a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
He was preceded in death: by his wife, Jane Luerssen Gifford, his son-in-law, Robert Parris, his daughter-in-law, Debbie Gifford and his sister, Virginia Chatel.
He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Gifford Wilson (Stuart), his son, Peter K. Gifford, grandchildren Lindley, John (Mary E), Lauren, and Leah Parris, Jenn, Joe (Rachel), Jill (Pierre-Andre) and Janace Gifford and great grandchildren Malachi, McKenzie, and Maelynn Gifford. He is also survived by his brother, Brewster Gifford of Milton, Massachusetts, his sister, Ruth Webb of Laconia, NH.
Memorial services will be held at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 421 Windsor St., Reading, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 10:00AM. The family will receive friends and relatives at church from 9:30-10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Reading Hospital, PO Box 16052, Reading, PA 19612.