Robert C. Edwards Sr., 89, of Homer City, died April 11, 2026, at UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh.
Robert C Edwards Sr is survived by his wife, Ruth Edwards (Short); his children, Sharon Samia (Mark Samia), Deborah Murnan (Timothy Murnan), and Robert Edwards Jr.; and his grandchildren, Bethany Thacker (Bryan Thacker), Christopher Samia, Sean Murnan (Kathryne Cleary), Kevin Murnan, and chosen daughter Elizabeth Barnes (Justin). He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Harper Thacker and Hadley Thacker, and by many members of his extended family, including cherished nieces and nephews.
He was born in Indiana, PA, on November 6, 1936, to Irvan and Margaret Edwards. The family eventually moved to Blairsville, PA, where he resided until he joined the Navy. He served in the Naval Air from 1955-1959. After returning home, he became reacquainted with Ruth Short, a close family friend, the beautiful love of his life, whom he married in Cumberland, Maryland, on Dec. 30, 1960.
They started their life in Chicago, Illinois where he earned a degree in electronics from Devry Technical Institute in 1961. He was recruited by the AB Dick company due to his expertise with their videograph equipment installation at the Reader’s Digest in Pleasantville, NY, and in 1962, they moved east to Croton Falls, NY. His work in this area earned him high praise and commendations. From there, he took a permanent position at the Reader’s Digest, where he enjoyed working and living alongside his brother George.
He later moved to Carmel NY to raise his family. He and Ruth were very active members of the Brewster, NY, Methodist Church, where he was a prominent leader of many church committees and organized dinners and activities. He was a lay leader and well respected speaker who was called upon to preach at this and many other churches in the area.
He was recognized and very proud of his contributions to the operations at the Reader’s Digest where he worked for 30 years. He rose to the level of supervisor of the office equipment servicing department and was tasked with the installation and maintenance of all electronic equipment used in the daily operations of the company.
He retired in 1994 and returned to the family home in Blairsville PA, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was well known and loved for his devotion to his Christian faith as a member of the Coral Lutheran Church and the Brewster, NY Methodist Churches. His skills as a master woodworker and meticulous attention to detail produced beautiful projects, crafted with love, that were enjoyed, not only by his family, but the community he loved. He was a giver of life by faithfully donating blood. Being the universal blood type O negative, he volunteered as a reserve donor to be called upon for donations in emergency situations; often called to the hospital in the middle of the night and never refusing the request.
His joy of travelling with his family and passion for photographing birds and wild life led to many cross country road trips, state park picnics, and memories to last a lifetime. He was a true outdoorsman and aside from the many adventures with his family, also enjoyed trips to the hunting camp with his buddies. Enthusiasm for family gatherings at home that always included his famous homemade ice cream, sometimes roasting hot dogs over a fire with wood from the trees he cut down himself, and John Deere gator rides with the grandkids.
He treasured his life with Ruth, with whom he recently celebrated 65 years of joy together. He was overflowing with pride in the family they raised and the joy of the many family gatherings they were fortunate to have. He will be missed but never forgotten and his family will carry him with them wherever they may go in this life.
He was predeceased by his parents, Irvan and Margaret Edwards, and by his brother, George Edwards.
Friends will be received on Thursday from 4–8 PM at Bowser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Homer City. A Funeral Service will be held Friday at 11 AM at the funeral home, with Pastor Tedd Cogar, officiating. Private interment in the Lutheran Chapel Cemetery, Coral.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army
Please visit bowserfh.com to make a donation to the Salvation Army, order flowers or sign the online guestbook.
