J. Robert "Bob" Ladd

J. Robert “Bob” Ladd, 79, of Lebanon passed away on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy (Wenger) Ladd. Bob was born in Harrisburg on December 23rd, 1942, to the late James Warden and Anne (Twigg) Ladd and grew up in Mount Gretna. He spent the entirety of his life living in the Lebanon Valley where he was deeply engaged in the business community, his church and local charitable organizations. A graduate of The Peddie School and Bucknell University, Bob spent most of his professional life in the family auto business, Ladd Motors, and later Ladd-Hanford. He was a serial entrepreneur and committed mentor to others wanting to start their own businesses. Bob enjoyed the challenge of building new enterprises, including Retire-Wise Financial Services, where he was a partner, Lebanon Imported Cars, Journeys, a travel agency, and The Inn at Mt. Hope, a bed and breakfast he ran with Nancy. Bob worked throughout his life consulting for and spearheading development and fundraising efforts for Christian non-profits. His journey into the world of fundraising began in 1985 when he led the effort to establish the Agape Family Shelter serving homeless women and children in Lebanon, and continued through work with Evangelical Seminary, Jubilee Ministries, Lebanon County Christian Ministries and the Lebanon Rescue Mission. In the early 2000s he helped to raise capital and participated in trips to build a church and the Family Life Counseling Centers in Tanzania. Bob was a life-long member of the Cornwall United Methodist Church where he served in many leadership, teaching and lay ministry roles and sang in the choir. His faith was an integral part of his life leading him to participate in the Christian Businessmen’s Connection and serve on the boards of the Institute of Religion and Democracy and United Methodist Action. Bob was a charter member of Lebanon Valley Sertoma Club and served as its first president. As president he helped to form and became a charter member of the Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club as well. He chaired many events and committees for the club over the years and was honored to have the club’s annual J. Robert Ladd Community Service Award named for him. This award has been presented for many years to the recipient of the club’s Service to Mankind Award. Bob’s deep commitment to his community and interest in politics also led him to mount a grass roots campaign for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 48th District in 1994 and to support candidates both locally and nationally. Bob’s love for early automobiles dates to 1954 when he bought a 1905 Northern with money earned by raking leaves and mowing lawns near the family home in Mt. Gretna. He was a charter member of the Hershey Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America and holds membership in several other national and regional collector car organizations, including the Horseless Carriage Club of America where he served as 2018-19 National President. His latest passion project was to establish the Museum of the Horseless Carriage, featuring the very earliest cars and the men and women who pioneered in the early car industry, on the campus of the Gilmore Museum in Michigan. In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by a son, Jason P. Ladd, and his wife Jean of Lebanon; a daughter, Abby A. Ladd, and her husband Jeff Gould of Silver Spring, MD; 6 grandchildren, India Gould, Graham Gould, Dwight Ladd, Melissa Ladd, Connor Ladd, and Austin Ladd; and 7 great grandchildren, Mikayla, Bailey, Jaxon, Jazlynn, Jayceon, Wyatt, and Lincoln. Bob was preceded in death by his brother, James W. Ladd III. A public viewing will be held from 7:00-9:00 PM on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022, at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022, at Cornwall United Methodist Church, 50 Freeman Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042. There will be no viewing before the service. Interment will be in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Museum of the Horseless Carriage by visiting https://www.museumofthehorselesscarriage.org/, or to the Lebanon Rescue Mission, 1223 Bittner Blvd., Lebanon, PA. 17046, https://www.lebanonrescuemission.org/product/make-a-monetary-donation-to-lrm/ in Bob’s memory. Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Annville is handling arrangements.

J. Robert "Bob" Ladd

December 23, 1942 - October 19, 2022