Mr. Robert “Bob” Rhoten, 91, of Waynesboro, PA, entered God’s eternal care on Monday, July 22, 2024, at The Leland of Laurel Run, Waynesboro.
Born April 3, 1933, in Manchester, MD, he was the son of the late Lee Rhoten, Sr. and Ruth (Davidson) Rhoten.
After graduating from Manchester High School, he joined the U.S. Navy, and served during the Korean War. While in the service, he enjoyed spending time as an assistant to the chaplain, and he made several lifelong friends. At least three of those friends had the first name, Bill! Bob maintained his friendships even after his four years in the Navy; despite the fact that he was not a big fan of flying, he still made a point to visit one of those Bill’s, Bill Dewson, who resided in England!
He married Jeannette “Jan” (Grove) Rhoten at a Lutheran Church in Washington D.C. Jan passed away January 3, 2020, after 53 wonderful years of marriage.
After he left the military, Bob worked several data entry jobs. After 10 years of service to the Federal Government, he retired in his early 70’s. The last position he held; he was involved in putting together the manual for a nuclear submarine. He received accommodations for his work and was even honored with a flag flying over the capital. His heart longed to spend more time with his daughter and grandchildren, so he and Jan moved from Germantown, MD to Hanover, PA to be closer to them.
He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, most recently was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Hanover. Bob was a talented artist and at one time he considered making that his career, however choosing the life of the “starving artist” wouldn’t be the best choice for his family, so he kept it as a side hobby. He did sketch work as well as oil painting and everything in between. He was also a wonderful dancer! He and Jan would meet up with his sister and her husband at the dance halls in the Manchester, MD and Hanover, PA. He danced at the Sportsman’s Hall near Hamstead, MD, which eventually turned into a roller rink where his grandkids would skate. He was so good that at one time, he taught dance at the Fred Astaire Studio in Frederick, MD. He shared his love for dance with his daughter, who also taught dance at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Gaithersburg, MD.
Bob was a very giving and humble man. He was a man who was always looking for a way to help those in need. He often would leave a box of food or Christmas gifts for kids on a doorstep for a family in need. He preferred to give anonymously, never wanting any attention for his generosity. He was a person who took the left-over altar flowers to the hospital and asked that they give them to someone who hasn’t had any visitors, in the hopes that it would brighten their day.
Left behind to celebrate his memory is his beloved daughter, Carla R. McCormac and her husband, Pat of Waynesboro; his Goddaughter, Monica Rhoten of West Chester; three grandsons, whom he loved dearly: Liam, Jared and Ryan McCormac, all of Waynesboro; a brother: Larry Rhoten and his wife, Peggy of Hanover, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he is preceded in death by a sister, Peg Long; three brothers: Charlie Rhoten, “Bud” Rhoten and Gene Rhoten.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at st.jude.org, or to Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268. Bob’s favorite poem that describes the way he lived his life is called OUTWITTED, by Edwin Markham: He drew a circle that shut me out- Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout, But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in!
Services are private, at the convenience of the family.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com.
