Robert Allen French

Robert Allen French, 85, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus on October 19, 2026, at Fairmount Homes in Ephrata. Robert resided in Ephrata Township with his wife, Rebecca Schmid French, with whom he shared 14 memorable years of marriage. Formerly from Shoemakersville, Robert was born in Summit, New Jersey, on July 14, 1941. He was the son of the late George W. French and Marjorie L. Lipps.

Robert attended Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield, New Jersey, and was very active in Future Farmers of America during that time. He also worked closely with his parents in the family business, The French Florist, in Springfield.

In his early employment years, Robert worked as a mechanic for Hermann Forwarding, a trucking company in South Brunswick, New Jersey.

After relocating to New York state, Robert and his first wife, Barbara, owned and operated a 200-acre dairy farm for 14 years and earned the honor of being the “Dairy of Distinction” for their region. When the decision was made to sell the dairy farm, Robert started his own mobile repair business and ran it successfully until 2003. During that time, he did the repair work for Trans American Trucking Service, located in South Plainfield, New Jersey, which meant that he traveled the East Coast, South, Midwest, and Canada to do on-site mechanical repair work for heavy-haul trucks. Other mechanics nicknamed him McGuyver because he could repair any equipment.

In 1997, Robert and his wife moved to Pennsylvania, where they purchased a 135-acre farm with a house that was built in 1813 and which Robert later completely restored. They raised hay and alfalfa on the land and also bred Black Angus cattle that were grass-fed and sold privately.

Robert’s interests included gardening, working on all of his farm equipment, countless building and restoration projects, and enjoying all of God’s living creatures. His advanced skill level earned him multiple patents for electrical and mechanical inventions.

As a loyal follower of Jesus Christ, Robert was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and found many areas of outreach where his talents could be used to bless others.

In addition to his loving wife, Robert is survived by one son, William French, Bethlehem; one daughters, Lisa McLaughlin, Bethlehem; one sister, Lorraine Olsen, Neptune, New Jersey; two granddaughters, Abigail McLaughlin and Katherine French; two grandsons, Alex McLaughlin and George French; and one great-granddaughter, Mallory McLaughlin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond French, and his first wife, Barbara Smith Franch, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

His Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, please remember Robert by making a contribution to the Benevolence Fund at his church.

The Cremation & Burial Society of Pennsylvania is assisting the French family.