A Memorial to Robert White Neithercott Jr.

Bob was a loving brother in Christ who embodied the relationship adage in Scripture, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love” (Rom 12:10a). He went home to Heaven on April 12. I met Bob through our WCFS education program. His three children, Jennifer, Matthew and Brandon, completed their formal secondary education through WCFS.

After the death of his wife, Janet, in October of 1999, I attempted periodic visits on my twice annual homeschool ministry visits to the Eastern Shore. Whenever our schedules lined up, we would catch a quick bite to eat and spend the time talking about his life, which mostly centered around his children and later, his grandchildren. I last spoke to Bob in February. He had read in the WCFS newsletter about my slow recovery from knee surgery and called me to share some encouragement. (Bob remained an active supporter of WCFS for over 23 years.)

Losing your wife at age 52 is hard, especially when your children have been homeschooled by her, and are at the very end of their high school careers. Bob weathered the transition selflessly, always thinking of the children first. I cherished serving as a confidant when he would ask.

After his children were grown, married and settled, his greatest joy was sharing with me about their deepening walks with the Lord and their love for their spouses and children. As was true of their mother, Janet, so also it was true of Bob, he had “no greater joy than to hear that [his] children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

I will miss Bob’s friendship and fellowship greatly. He was someone whom I could turn to when I needed some sweet fellowship around the things I cherish most in my years of Christian ministry.

– Gary Cox