Mr. Robert “Bob” Melvin Ferster, Jr. of Clover, SC, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, SC.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 2445, Hwy. 557, Clover, SC with the Rev. Marcus VanVlake officiating.  Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:45 in the Fellowship Hall.

Bob was born February 9, 1940 in Juniata, PA to the late Robert Melvin Ferster, Sr. and Stella Alberta Barner Ferster. Bob recognized his need for the savior and placed his hope in Christ at the age of 12. He never looked back in his walk with Christ and busied himself in ministry, whether professional or private, for the remainder of his life. At 16, he began working with the local Youth for Christ and went on to become the director of the Charlotte chapter after moving south to attend Piedmont Baptist College in Winston Salem, N.C.

In the years following, Bob served as an associate pastor, a Christian education director, a promoter of several Christian music groups, a leader of multiple short-term mission trips, and founder of Seeds Incorporated and the Son Festival, a Christian music and preaching festival taking place for 15 years in South Carolina.

Along the way, Bob collected a broad and diverse group of friends from across the country and globe that he loved, of whom he always had fond stories to share with his family. Many of those friends were men from church that Bob mentored and encouraged in the faith. Being with and having meaningful conversations with family and friends was his great joy in life—a favorite pastime being a raucous argument about Bible doctrine with a good friend or family member.

He loved working with his hands and building, skills that he used to benefit family and friends throughout the years, whether building homes and churches on mission trips, fixing something on a friend or family member’s house. He designed and built his home in South Carolina and loved working on the land around it—he was laying a stone wall the week before his passing. Many friends and family members were recruited into his projects over the years, which led to days filled with hard work and good conversation.

He is survived by his wife Linda Baker Ferster; daughter Heidi L. F. Weatherspoon (Timothy) of Charlotte, NC; sons Robert E. Ferster (Sarah) of Shallotte, NC, Michael W. Ferster of Sunset Beach, NC, and Jason B. Ferster (Christen) of Lexington, SC; brother Ronnie Ferster (Rosemary); nine grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.

The family understands that some friends may not wish to attend due to the current COVID-19 situation.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 2445 Hwy. 557, Clover, SC 29710 (www.bethelchurchpca.com)  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.