Robert Leroy Elwinger

Robert “Bob” Leroy Elwinger, age 92, of Girard, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at UPMC Hamot.

He was born in Santa Monica, CA on November 30, 1931, a son to the late LaRue and Edith Smith Elwinger. This is where he started his career in shining shoes and selling newspapers with his brother Bill.

Robert attended Fairview High School and then served in the United States Army and was chosen for the Presidential Honor Guard (Old Guard). He worked alongside his parents at their family farm, Elwinger Fruit Stand, in Fairview.

He was the founder, architect and superintendent of Beautiful Over Lake Golf Course and operated the course for 65 years. His mission was to make Over Lake the best golf course it could be for the local public. He was a member of the National Golf Course Owners Association and a charter member of the Northwest Golf Course Superintendent Association. He received a Golf Digest Award for “Best Course to Play” in 2008. He was a member of the Sombrero Country Club in Marathon, FL, the Fairview Legion, Lake Erie Masonic Lodge No.347; Scottish Rite Valley of Erie; and the Zem Zem Temple Shrine.

Bob was always the entrepreneur, he founded and operated Over Lake Sand & Gravel for 15 years and bought the former Penn Brass & Copper building and went into the storage business for 10 years. That business allowed him to purchase his dream home in Marathon Florida, where he and Darlene spent their winter seasons.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Reynolds, brother, William Elwinger and brother-in-law, Daniel Finnegan and mother-in-law, Geraldine Finnegan.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Darlene Elwinger; daughter, Robin Sperry and her husband Bryan; grandchildren, Alex Jasiulek and Adryan Sperry; sisters-in-law, Donna Twichel and Diana Finnegan; brothers-in-law; Donald and David Finnegan; father-in-law, Richard Finnegan and many nieces and nephews. 

Friends may call at Girard United Methodist Church, 48 Main Street East, Girard on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 12:00pm until the time of service at 2:00 with pastors Alison and Wade Berkey officiating.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s Erie, 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505, the Girard United Methodist Church, 48 Main Street West, Girard, PA 16417 or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.

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