Robert “Bob” Elwood Poinsett, was born on March 8, 1932 in Souderton, Pennsylvania. He left his earthly home on June 8, 2021 in Alpine, Wyoming exactly 23 days after his wife Elizabeth. He was 89 years old.
Known as “Pointy” or “Pop Pop” to many, Bob was born to Elwood T. Poinsett and Lydia (Booz) Poinsett in Souderton, PA where he grew up. When he was 10 years old he developed osteomyelitis in his right leg which necessitated him being hospitalized for nearly a year at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. Despite many surgeries, an eventual bone removal, and the need to repeat third grade due to health issues, Bob persevered and went on to excel in high school football and baseball. When he was 18, he was recognized by his community for his attitude and courage and was awarded “Athlete of the Year.”
Bob met his soul mate Betty, at Souderton Area High School. The high school sweethearts married on September 19, 1953 and celebrated 67 wonderful years of marriage in September of 2020. They had their first child, Beth Ann in 1957, “Bobby” in 1959 and Bonnie Gayle in 1962. In 1958, Bob, Betty, and ten-month-old Beth moved into their newly built home at 507 Mininger Road in Souderton. They continued to live there for 61 years to the day.
Bob worked for Bell Telephone Company for 35 years from 1950 to 1985. He was committed to raising his family, playing in church softball ball leagues, and hunting with his friends at their Broken Arrow Cabin in Tioga County, PA. Forever frugal, Bob used his technical skills to fix many items that had been discarded as unusable.
He officially retired from Bell at 53 years young but never sat idle. In his “retirement” he did subcontract and freelance wiring projects, volunteered at Calvary Church, and continued to play ball into his 70’s. Bob never spoke an unkind word about anyone, was patient beyond belief and never lost his temper. Those traits bode well for the role he played for many years as a popular (and unpopular) umpire. Every fall for 25+ years, he would make his pilgrimage west to hunt and build houses with his son Bob in WY. His van was always piled high with “treasures” from his pole barn and Alderfer’s Auction.
Bob and Betty were active members of Calvary Church even into their 80’s. They had a wide circle of good, longtime friends and belonged to card clubs, bowling leagues and fellowship groups. Bob loved to mow lawns and spent many years volunteering to “cut grass” at Camp Haycock. No deed that had to be done was ever too small or unimportant for Bob to take on. His entire life was the definition of servanthood.
One legacy he leaves his grandchildren that exemplified his love for them, was that for 20 years he strategically packed up a trailer resembling the Beverly Hillbillies and headed to Ocean City, NJ. Every single grandchild would admit that those years were incredibly special and a formative part of their growing up.
Bob and Betty left Mininger Rd and moved to the Lutheran Community of Telford in April of 2019. In May of 2021, accompanied by his daughter “Beth – the Nurse”, they moved to Wyoming, a place Bob wanted to spend his final season on earth. As a true act of love, Betty was able to ride by his side till they arrived in WY where she passed away a day later. He then spent time enjoying his family, the majestic scenery, and the many animals that surrounded him 24/7. Whenever Betty felt Bob overstayed his time in WY, she called him to say, “I think you’ve been there long enough” and he always returned home to her. She did just that on June 8th. His WY family will forever be grateful for those precious three weeks.
Bob and Betty were inseparable and were role models of a wonderful marriage. It is fitting that their lives be celebrated together at Calvary Church in Souderton, PA on Friday, July 23rd at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow prior to all their children and grandchildren heading to Ocean City to celebrate the wonderful family they created.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth (Kratz) Poinsett, parents Elwood Poinsett and Lydia (Booz) Poinsett, and brother-in-law Vern Clemmer. Bob is survived by his sister-in-law Grace (Kratz) Clemmer. His inspiring life will forever be cherished in the lives of his 3 children: Beth Poinsett of Ocean City, NJ, Bob (& Sherry) Poinsett of Alpine, WY, and Bonnie (& Ron) Ruth of Souderton, PA. He was much loved by his 9 grandchildren: Adam Poinsett-Hall of New York City, Lauren Hall ( & Ravinder) of Louisville, KY, Savannah (& Jonathan) Lugar of Alpine, WY, Britney Ruth in the Coast Guard living in DE, Bobby (& Kalisa) Poinsett of Alpine, WY, Ryan Ruth of Souderton, PA, Courtney Poinsett of Laramie, WY, Summer Time of Jackson, WY and Nikki Poinsett of Salt Lake City, UT. Bob is also survived by one great granddaughter Lexie Poinsett (Bobby & Kalisa) and one great grandson Tajh Hall Sandhu (Lauren & Ravinder). Bob has one niece, Gayle (& Ken) Clemmer and one nephew, Steve (& Lori) Clemmer.