Robert "Bob" Raymond Wickliffe

Robert “Bob” Raymond Wickliffe

Servant of God, Loving Husband, Beloved Daddy and Gramps

Heaven welcomed a precious saint, Bob Wickliffe, of New Cumberland, into the presence of God. Bob had often said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."  Now, free from his paralysis, with a NEW body, but still his infectious radiant smile, he is walking, dancing and running on the streets of gold with his Savior and Lord. For 5 years, Bob was ready to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Robert "Bob" Raymond Wickliffe, age 73, of New Cumberland, and formerly of Long Island, NY, was welcomed into heaven, with his loving wife and daughter by his side on Friday, May 11, 2018.  Bob was born on June 19, 1944 in Kew Gardens to the late Raymond Wickliffe and Emily (Bochan) Wickliffe.  In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Wickliffe.

Bob’s survivors include his wife of over 48 years, Dorothy “Dottie” (Becker) Wickliffe; his daughter: Bonnie Wickliffe Sharpe and her husband, David, and their children, Emily and Connor; and his brother, James Wickliffe.

Bob graduated from Thomas Edison High School as part of the class of 1962.  He retired from The Bank of New York in NYC, after 39 years of service working as a Mutual Funds Supervisor.  Bob was a member of Community Bible Evangelical Free Church, in Richmond Hill, NY, for about 35 years.  In spite of Bob's childhood scars and with the help of Godly men in the church who mentored him, Bob overcame his introversion and led singing, served on trustee, deacon, and elder boards, taught adult Sunday School, and was involved in various children's ministries such as VBS, Club Halawasa, and preached on occasion.  In 1998 Bob and his wife began worshipping at the First Baptist Church in Babylon, NY for six years where his daughter and her family attended.  After moving to New Cumberland, in 2004, he became a member of the West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg.  There he served as a greeter with a heartfelt enthusiasm, and because of his love for children, he taught VBS, became the Chaplin of the Boy Scouts, and the Commissioner of the Upward Sports Ministries.

It was during a Soccer game on May 11, 2013, that Bob suffered an AFib episode and passed out, breaking his neck and back, becoming paralyzed from his chest down.  As he lay on the ground, he worshiped and praised God, ready to go home to be with Him in Heaven.  But God had other plans.  After more than 7 months in hospitals and rehabs, Bob came home in December 2013, still on a ventilator and under the 24/7 care of a team of nurses God miraculously provided.  Since he was asked to continue his involvement in the Upward Sports Ministry, he had 12 Devotionals recorded and shown at the Upward's Awards Nights.  His ministry still continues since they were then put on YouTube and can be accessed by searching "Bob Wickliffe".  Since it was difficult for Bob to regularly attend West Shore Evangelical Free Church, Bob and his wife began attending the New Cumberland Alliance Church, which his daughter's family attends, right in their development.

After enjoying his honeymoon in Hawaii in 1969, Bob and his wife discovered their love for traveling and began as a family to travel through every state in the USA.  After Bob took a travel agent course, they were able to take advantage of discounts and travel the world.  Bob was also an avid hockey fan, so when the New York Islanders began in 1972, the family got season tickets each year until 1989, which included the Dynasty Years of 1980-1984.  Bob could often be found enjoying a pastrami on rye with yellow mustard and potato pancakes, Hebrew National Hot dogs with mustard, or pizza.  Once the grandkids were around and visited, there was almost always spaghetti with brown 'n serve sausage with Prego sauce, and he would wash it all down with a Coke, NO ICE, or a Chocolate Frosty.

Due to a feeding tube because of Bob's paralysis, he was no longer able to eat or drink his favorite foods for the past 5 years.  Although the road was very rough, Bob and his wife thanked God daily for His many Blessings which made this the happiest time of their lives.  God had given them a new amazing Christ-centered love for each other, as a result of being together for most of their waking hours.  Through this new love, God gave her the strength and ability to care for his many needs along with his nurses.

Bob has left a legacy that we will never truly know the extent of since, in just the last few days, hundreds have shared their testimonies of how Bob and his relationship with God and his wife have touched their lives by inspiring them to trust and depend upon God.  No one will ever forget his hearty, extended "AAAAMEN" at the end of his prayers.

Our loss is Heaven's gain, as Bob is absent from his body and present with the Lord.

The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to those who so lovingly cared for Bob during the past 5 years at Hershey Medical Center, Life Care, Magee Rehab, Select Specialty Hospital, Celtic Home Health, Susquehanna Internal Medicine, and all the wonderful nurses God miraculously provided so that Bob could finally fulfill his desire to come back home.

All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his viewing on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. until time of closing ceremony which will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. and at his Celebration of Life and Homegoing Service on Saturday, June 16, 2018, beginning at 2:00 p.m., both at West Shore Evangelical Free Church, 1345 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.  Cremation is private.  Scattering will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of Bob’s life can be made to the New Cumberland Alliance Church, 148 Spanglers Mill Rd., New Cumberland PA 17070, by texting “give” to (717) 283-2443, clicking on the return link, and then selecting the “Bob Wickliffe Memorial Fund.”  Your donations will be distributed to various Christian ministries and to the Magee Rehabilitation Center.

Bob’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Bob’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.