Robert J Lamont

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was a resident of Indian River Estates in Vero Beach, FL for the past 22 years. Previously he lived in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Robert received many degrees including Bachelor of Arts in 1941 from Maryville College TN; Bachelor of Theology in 1944 from Princeton Theological Seminary NJ; Master of Theology from Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary PA in 1947; Doctor of Divinity from Maryville College TN in 1954; Doctor of Theology, Waynesburg College PA in 1954; Doctor of Humane Letters, Geneva College PA in 1959; Doctor of Letters from Grove City College PA in 1974; and Doctor of Laws from Ursinus College PA in 1977.

Ordained by the Philadelphia PA Presbytery, United Presbyterian Church in the USA, in June, 1941, Robert’s first pastorate was at the First Presbyterian Church in Darby, PA from 1943 to 1947. He then served the Narberth Presbyterian Church in Narberth, PA from 1947 to 1953.

In 1953, Robert became the 10th pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA where he served for 20 years. Originally founded by George Washington’s chaplain, the church celebrated its bicentennial in 1973. With a membership exceeding 2000, the church had an active ministry involving upwards of 8000 men, women and children each week as well as a nationwide radio ministry.

In 1973, he became the President and CEO of the oldest life insurance company in America, Presbyterian Ministers Fund, in Philadelphia, PA. The Fund was started by Benjamin Franklin in 1717 and incorporated in 1759. Robert retired as Chairman in 1989.

During his career and even in retirement, Robert served on numerous boards offering his unique prospective on life, governance and theology. In 1956, he joined the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham and others in founding the magazine, CHRISTIANITY TODAY. He continued to serve as a trustee of the magazine’s corporation for 41 years. Other boards where he served many years were Grove City College, PA (33 years), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, MA (31 years). Although retired, Robert served for 10 years on the board of ACTS Life-Retirement Communities, Inc. PA. ACTS is the owner of Indian River Estates.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Edna Lamont; son Robert J. Lamont Jr. and daughters Edna Karen Shuter and Joanne Marie Hathorn, all of Vero Beach, FL; grandson Joshua Hathorn of Bradenton, FL; step-granddaughter Katherine Sumpter of Atlanta, GA; and, sisters Doris Weikel of Perkasie, PA and Eleanor Latham of Lansdale, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Marie Lamont and a sister Janet (Jenny) Germann.