Robert C. “Bob” Forbes

Robert C. “Bob” Forbes, age 75, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 1, 1943, in West Chester, PA, to the late Charles E. and Helen M. Forbes. Bob graduated from West Chester Joint Junior-Senior High School in 1961, and Goldey-Beacom School of Business with an Associate in Arts degree in accounting and business administration in 1963. He began his insurance career, which spanned 32 years, with Penn Mutual Fire Insurance Company in West Chester in 1963, and retired as president and CEO of New Castle Mutual Insurance Company in Delaware in 1995. After retirement, Bob became a licensed realtor with Patterson Schwartz Real Estate in their Newark office.

He was president of the Millcreek JCs in 1973, and state vice president in 1974. Bob was a life member and secretary of the Wilmington Manor Lions Club and president in 1994 and 2003. He served as zone chairman for District 22D Lions in 1995. Bob received decades of perfect attendance pins throughout his time as a Lion. He was recognized as Lion of the Year in 1999, a Ralph Helm Fellow in 1998, and a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2001 and 2007.

During his tenure in the insurance industry, Bob was past president of the Delaware Insurance Field Representative Club and also the Sparks Club in PA. He served on the board and was vice chairman in 1993, of the Insurance Placement Facility of DE & PA. Bob served on the board of the PA Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and was an active member of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He also served on the board of the National Mutual Homeowners Insurance Rating Bureau.

Bob loved his family and enjoyed several years of camping in Chincoteague, VA, watching the ponies. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and being available when needed with his flexible realtor’s hours.

Bob is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sharon M. Forbes; children, Jason C. Forbes (Renee) of Middletown and Sarah E. Schrader (Blaine) of Smyrna; grandchildren, Autumn, Riley, and Maxwell; nephews, Mike, David, and Jeff; two great nieces; a great nephew; and a great-great niece.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7 pm on Monday, November 26, 2018, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A second visitation will be held the following morning from 10 until 11 am at the funeral home, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately in Gracelawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Wilmington Manor Lions Club, P.O. Box 569, New Castle, DE 19720.