Robert Leroy Jeffries, 87, passed away on December 31, 2024, in Christiana Hospital, New Castle, DE. Born in 1937, “Bob” was known for constantly being in motion and always having a project to express his creativity.
Bob graduated from Fleetwood Joint High School, Fleetwood, PA, served in the Army National Guard of PA as a machine gunner and in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as a boiler man second class petty officer before becoming a postal carrier in his hometown where he was known as the “whistling mailman.” He spent the majority of his working life in various roles in the construction industry where he operated heavy equipment, worked in boat yards and marinas, and did home improvements. His favorite work was repairing and restoring boats.
Bob loved being on the water, especially the Chesapeake Bay, aboard one of his restored classic wooden boats, the “Dear Heart” or the “Moonraker.” He was a member of the Richardson Boat Owners Association and served a couple terms as its commodore. He and his wife “Tut” throughly enjoyed visiting their RBOA friends in Canada, the Thousand Islands Region of NY, and along the entire Eastern seaboard.
He was a member of Ebernezer Methodist Church of Rising Sun and contributed his energy and talents as an interim choir director or occasional handyman and landscaper. He would be instrumental in setting up or cleaning up for the church’s seasonal bake, BBQ or yard sales.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Ruth aka “Tut” who passed away a week earlier. He leaves behind daughter Karen Jeffries (and ex-husband Michael Turner), son Randy (and wife Alicia) Jeffries, step-daughter Debbie (and husband Robert) Hershey; and step-son Ted Grimes. Bob or “Mr. J” was a beloved “Pop-Pop” to grandchildren: Jennifer, Zachary and Randy Lee, and to great-grandchildren: Brayden, Katrelle, Lyssa, Sierra, and Nora.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Ebernezer Methodist Church in Rising Sun, MD, at 12 o’clock on Saturday, February 22, 2025. A luncheon in the social hall will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Robert and Ruth Jeffries are welcomed at the Ebernezer Methodist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 639, Rising Sun, MD 21911-0639.
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