Robert (Bob) A. Reynolds

Robert (Bob) A. Reynolds, 77, of Coatesville, PA, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 25, 2023.  He was the husband of Judith F. Reynolds for over 52 years.  

Born in McCook, NE, Bob was the only son of the late Richard B. and Sally Seldomridge Reynolds. Raised in Paoli, PA, he attended and graduated from Eastern Baptist College (now Eastern University) with a BA in Biology in 1967. After college, he proudly served his country in the US Army from 1968 - 1970, serving in South Viet Nam. Part of his military experience included working with the American Red Cross and their coordination with Army personnel.  He was recognized with several awards including Combat Infantry Badge, 4 Army Commendation Medals, Bronze Star for Valor, Combat Air Medal and expert Rifleman Badge for both M-14 and M-16.  Upon his discharge in 1970, he married Judith (Judy) F. Reynolds whom he met and started dating while attending Eastern.

Following their marriage, Bob and Judy moved to Nebraska where he pursued and received his MS degree in Zoology with emphasis in Physiology from the University of Nebraska. They returned to Pennsylvania and settled in Lansdale where they lived for the next 34 years. Bob spent his entire professional career working at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in clinical research. He was primary and secondary author on over 30 scientific publications.  Bob and Judy welcomed their children Wendy in 1976 and Andrew “Drew” in 1979.

Bob was a member of North Wales Baptist Church (NWBC) for 34 years where he served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Financial Secretary. At NWBC, he taught children’s Sunday school for many years. He was also a joyful member of the choir. In addition to his church activities, Bob and his family regularly went camping with a focus on traveling to different historic sites across the mid Atlantic region. He was proud supporter of both of his kids and their involvement in marching band and a number of other activities throughout their high school and college years.

Upon his retirement in 2007, Bob and Judy made the decision to move to Chester County to be nearer to their children who had settled in the Downingtown area. Bob eagerly led this endeavor, overseeing the building of their house on the property he had inherited from his mother, a place he had spent time visiting his grandfather in his youth. The 11 years spent at their home in Cochranville were deeply special as everything down to the angle of the house to see sunrise and sunset was planned by Bob.

Bob joined and was a current member of Parkesburg Baptist Church. He continued various church leadership positions there and continued sharing his love of singing in their choir. In addition, he took great pleasure in volunteering for The Point, a Christian Youth Center in Parkesburg. 

In 2019, Bob and Judy moved to Freedom Village in Coatesville, PA (even closer to their kids!). There, he picked up his first non-vocal instrument—the recorder. At Freedom Village, he joined the Recorder group, the Village Singers, a Trivia team, participated in a few art classes and was one of the reporters in a play put on by the Village Players.

Bob’s curiosity was endless but he had a specific passion for science, animals, mysteries, Philadelphia sports (especially football and baseball), music, financial news, and his family and their friends. When he knew you, he would never ever forget you. He might not remember your name but he’d remember a person’s interest. Bob’s curiosity and love was especially present as “Pop Pop” for his four grandchildren Emma (18), Nathan (18), Abigail (Abby, 16), and Laura (15). They spent many summers at “the farm” with him where he’d work to casually drop in science into everyday life. 

He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Wendy Reynolds Aucker (Brad) of Downingtown and son Andrew Reynolds (Kathy) of Downingtown, grandchildren Emma and Laura Aucker and Nathan and Abby Reynolds; sister-in-law Cheryl Heck (Steve) of Souderton, PA and their children Leslie Fisher and David Heck; brother-in-law Jeffrey Cullingford (Ronanne) of Conroe, TX and their children, Paige and James Cullingford.

A memorial service will be held at the Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St, Parkesburg, Pa 19365 on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. 

The Reynolds family has been and continues to celebrate the life of Bob on their CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobreynolds5 (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobreynolds5).

Memorial contributions can be made to The Point by clicking here