Robert Brown Sheldon

Reverend Robert Brown Sheldon of Fort Myers, Florida, died on October 5, 2024.
Mr. Sheldon (“Bob”) was a resident of Shell Point Retirement Community and a retired pastor of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where he also spent his entire childhood and graduated from Norristown High School. Mr. Sheldon attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, as well as a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ.
His early career included employment as Pastor at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Clinton, NJ and Associate Pastor at Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church in Union, NJ. In 1963, Mr. Sheldon founded Westminster Presbyterian Church in Berkeley Heights, NJ, where he was Senior Pastor for twenty-four years, until 1987. In Berkeley Heights, Mr. Sheldon and his wife Grace, a kindergarten teacher, raised their family of four children. Retiring from full-time employment in 1987, Bob and Grace moved to Gwynedd, PA. Mr. Sheldon then continued his career in Christian ministry as part-time pastor at Abington Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Ambler. He was a moderator of the Presbytery of Elizabeth, NJ and spent many years as a member of the Mission Council of the Synod of the Northeast. In retirement he remained a member of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. During his career, Mr. Sheldon also participated in mission-related travel abroad to Israel and Guyana.
In connection with his pastoral roles, Mr. Sheldon was involved in a variety of additional community service. These organizations included the Township of Berkeley Heights and the Union County (NJ) Courts, where he was a long-time Chair of the Juvenile Conference Committee. Mr. Sheldon was also extremely proud of his involvement with the Rotary Club where he was a charter member, President and twenty-year member with perfect attendance. During his retirement in Florida, he continued his service to others through his active involvement with Shell Point Retirement Community and the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, where he was a member. These service activities included the Men’s Club group of church members residing at Shell Point where he acted as Chair.
In addition to his family and career, Mr. Sheldon had many interests especially in planning wonderful vacations and travels. Aside from his deep affection for Berkeley Heights, he loved their Ocean City, NJ summer home and their visits to the family in many places throughout the country. Time-share exchanges made possible multiple visits to resorts across the U.S., the Caribbean islands and Great Britain. Bob and Grace especially enjoyed ten riverboat cruises in Europe. And, of course, he spent many great visits, and years of living, on Sanibel Island, Florida. He also maintained a keen interest in property management, maintenance and repair and was involved in many home and church projects.
Mr. Sheldon was predeceased by his loving wife Grace and is survived by their four children and spouses: Beth S. Sadd of Port Murray, NJ, R. Scott Sheldon (Judy) of Cary, NC, Barbara S. Steel (Barry) of Dallas, TX and Craig A. Sheldon (Susan) of Lake Placid, NY. Nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren survive him. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Barbara D. Miller, one niece and one nephew.
A memorial service will be held in early 2025 at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, Florida 33957. Interment will be in the Memorial Grounds of the church. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Health Ministry Fund of the Sanibel Church.