Robert M. Maurer

Robert M. Maurer passed away peacefully on February 6, 2024, at the age of 92. He was the son of the late Harry and Alice Maurer. Bob was the husband of Carol Maurer (nee Nearing) with whom he was married for 66 years. He was graduated from Bloomsburg University (BSEd) and Temple University (MSEd/ABD). While at Bloomsburg University, Bob co-coached the baseball team, which won the 1956 Pennsylvania State Championship. Bob began his 36-year career in education with the Cornwall-Lebanon School District as a Math and English teacher for 7th and 8th grades in the South Lebanon Junior-Senior High School. He continued to teach English for grades 9 through 12 when Cornwall and South Lebanon merged to become Cedar Crest High School in 1966. Bob continued his educational career by serving as chairman of the English Department and as a leader in the local teachers’ union (CLEA). He rose to become Assistant High School Principal, Assistant to the Superintendent, Acting Middle School Principal and Adjunct Professor at Millersville University. His two most cherished accomplishments included being the recipient of the 1965 Ionian Yearbook dedication, and receiving a National School Public Relations Associations achievement award for articles he wrote for a Lebanon Daily News column titled Cornwall-Lebanon News and Views. Bob wrote 650 weekly columns for that media. In Bob’s younger years, he was an outstanding athlete and earned a basketball-baseball scholarship to Villanova, where he was captain of the baseball team and selected as All-East All-American shortstop. While at Villanova, the Baltimore Orioles minor league system scouted and signed Bob. He played professional baseball for that organization for five years. Bob was a 50-plus-year member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, having served as Chair of the Christian Education Committee, a Trustee and an Elder. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Lebanon American Cancer Society. In retirement, he logged over 600 volunteer hours at the Good Samaritan Hospital and assisted at Habitat for Humanity. In addition to his athletic prowess, Bob was an avid reader and a skilled writer, was an eager student of politics and religion, was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles, and thoroughly enjoyed eating his favorite food, hard-shell crabs, in the company of family and friends. He was also a stellar cook and showed his love through the delicious food he created. Bob’s family includes son Dean Maurer and daughter-in-law Dorothy, son Dennis Maurer and daughter-in-law Gena; daughter Lynnette Maurer Peterschmidt and son-in-law Luke; grandchildren Jordan Maurer Parker (Brett), Drew and Ben Maurer, and Rose and Kara Peterschmidt; sisters-in-law Kay and Helen Nearing, and granddog Toby. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Cornwall Manor Health Center for the loving care they gave to Bob. That staff, through love and dignity, helped Bob round third base and slide home safely. As per his wishes, in lieu of a funeral service, Bob’s family will receive visitors at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 S. 12th St., Lebanon, PA on Saturday, February 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Following Bob’s wishes, his remains have been gifted to science. If desired, donations may be sent to Jack and Jill Preschool, 280 Hillcrest Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042, or Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, 443 Fairview Ave., Lancaster, PA 17063 (please specify for Lebanon projects).

Robert M. Maurer

May 20, 1931 - February 6, 2024