Obituary of Robert Wayne Folmar

Robert W Folmar, 77, died on Thursday, February 2nd after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was a long-time resident of North Lake Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania.

Born in 1946 in Williamsport, he was the son of Archibald and Dora Folmar. He was the baby brother of Mildred Folmar, James (Ruth) Folmar, Ethel (Carl) Gawblick, and Paul Folmar.

He graduated from Williamsport Technical Institute and enlisted in the Air Force in 1964. In the Air Force, he was a radar repair technician from 1964-1968, leaving just one day shy of a full enlistment.

He met his wife, Christine, at a dance on Sans Souci Highway and they were married in 1968.

On a bet one New Year's Eve, he grew a goatee that he never shaved off for the rest of his life, earning him the nicknames of Abe Lincoln, Amish Farmer and the Amish Engineer.

In 1973, dad pulled mom (a Brooklyn native) out of New York and brought her to a small lake at North Lake where there were no street lights and the first sounds she heard were the croaking of the frogs. Mom and dad lived at the lake for 50 years. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before her death in 2021.

Dad could never sit still and he always had a story or joke to tell.

He enjoyed a long career as a Broadcast Engineer at news station WBRE where he wasn't afraid to forge friendships with everyone there including the owners and the anchormen. He enjoyed it so much he retired twice!

He was also active in their church, Our lady of Mount Carmel, Lake Silkworth, as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and religious instructor.

Dad never lost his love of radios and often encouraged anyone he could to learn Morse code and later to get their Ham radio license. He graduated from CBs in the 70's to becoming a HAM radio operator in 1978. His call signs were Blue Flash and KB3VS respectively. He belonged to the local MURGAS club and ARES since early 1980's. He attended HAMfests, ultramarathons, triathlons, field days and more as a communications operator. After retirement, one of his favorite places to hang out was the EOC (Emergency Operations Center). He made life-long friendships here.

Dad was surrounded in love by his surviving family: daughter Julianne Miller and husband, Richard, son, John Folmar, daughter, Diane Folmar and her companion Rob Micelli, and bonus daughter, Deseree Folmar. He loved being around his grandchildren: Samantha Stare, and Bryon Folmar.

He also counted his numerous nieces (and their families) bonus daughters who brought joy to him at every family gathering. You could count on him to call out the number attending at most family events as it was often over 50 people. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ruth Folmar.

He is preceded in death by his parents Archibald and Dora, his siblings Mildred, Jim, Ethel, and Paul and a set of twin grandchildren.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a long, difficult disease. Our family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Veterans Administration in Wilkes-Barre for their dedication to his care. We'd also like to thank Aveanna Healthcare and Compassionate Care Hospice, especially Beckey Peters, for their kindness and care during his last days.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 9:30 AM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2011 Pennsylvania 29, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621, with Rev. Brian Van Fossen, officiating.

A visitation will be held from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Private interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lake Twp.

Both of our parents died from rare lung diseases. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to further research to find a cure with the following organizations or a charity of your choice: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611 or GIST Cancer Research Fund, Fox Chase Center, 3905 N.E. 167th Street, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160.

Online condolences may be made to clswansonfuneralhome.com