Robert J. Farls

Robert J. Farls PhD, 87 of Brighton Twp passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015 in Vero Beach, FL.

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Robert J. Farls.

Born April 7, 1928 in Freedom, he was a son of the late James V. and Garnet Smith Farls and had been a 1946 graduate of Freedom High School where he joined ROTC. In 1951 he graduated from Geneva College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Deciding not to pursue a career in baseball he joined the United States Marine Corp, was stationed at Quantico and served as an officer during the Korean War. Dr. Farls was an educator for 30 years, having first worked at Sewickley Elementary School, and then coached basketball at Quaker Valley High School. He later earned his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh and became the principal of Freedom Elementary School before moving to Florida in 1968 where he taught elementary education at the University of Miami. At his retirement in 1985 he was the coordinator of student teachers at Slippery Rock University.

Dr. Farls was a faithful man and shared his tremendous love of God to those he loved, knew and met. He had been a former member and Elder at the Four Mile Presbyterian Church where he had taught Sunday School and served as a youth leader. He is currently a member of the Chapel Presbyterian Church (PCA), Brighton Twp. He had also been a former board member and past president of the United Way of Beaver and was a former mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

After his retirement he and his wife, Bert, spent every winter in Key West and Vero Beach, Florida. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. Of all his accomplishments he was most proud of his two holes in one.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, whom he married on April 5, 1952 in Fredericksburg, VA, Bertha “Bert” Roberson Farls. Together they raised two children, a daughter, Jill (Dennis) Lynch, Graniteville, SC, a son, James (Barbara) Farls, Brighton Twp., and later were blessed with 6 cherished grandchildren, Adam Kaneski, Nashville, TN, Ashleigh Kaneski, New York City, Emily Farls, Thornton, CO, Robert “Bob” Farls, Beaver Falls, PA, Kara Lynch, Graniteville, SC, Katie (Rev. Jason) Sica, Wilmington, DE, and 2 great granddaughters, Kylie & Naomi Sica. He is also survived by a sister, Kay Baumann, Sewickley, a brother, Dr. John “Jack” (Darlene) Farls, Baden, several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Friends will be received Sunday from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver where a service will be conducted Monday at 11:00 am. The service will be co-conducted by his pastor, Rev. Stephen Maker and by his granddaughter’s husband, Rev. Jason Sica. Full military rites will be conducted by the Beaver County Special Unit at the funeral home. Interment will take place later at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Freedom. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions may be made if desired to the Beaver County Heart Association, 3582 Brodhead Road, Suite 201, Monaca, PA 15061.

We will forever cherish the memories of our dear “Pap”. His passing has indeed left a void in all of our lives, but we are better off having loved and been loved by him.