Reverend Robert A. Brookhart III
The Reverend Robert A. Brookhart, III went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 17. 2021.
Pastor Bob Brookhart was born May 18, 1934 in Butler, PA to Robert A. Jr. and E. Alberta Stutz Brookhart. He is survived by his wife Virginia (“Ginny”) and three sons: Robert IV (Fran) of Milwaukee, WI; James (Jayetta) of Canfield, OH; and Michael (Patti) of Port Richey, FL; Eight grandchildren: Robert V (Kayla) and Brian; James Jr, Joseph (Ashley), Janae (Adam) and Julia; Heather (Brett) and Michael. Also surviving is his sister Nancy Lutz (James) of Pittsburgh, PA, nieces Kristin and Shannon Rae Lutz, and his eight great-grandchildren. In addition, he leaves four stepchildren: Lori Nowaczyk, Cathy Shimfessel, Wendy Freimuller and David Adkins, 10 step grandchildren and 9 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Donna Mae Burris Brookhart.
He was an ordained Minister of the General Council of The Assemblies of God. He served churches in Youngstown, Ohio (Highway Tabernacle) and High Pointe (formerly Harvest Life) in Struthers, Ohio, of which he was the founding pastor with his wife Donna. In 1990, they moved to Pinellas County, FL, where he served as the Seniors’ Pastor at Glad Tidings A/G and was an associate pastor at Word of Life A/G. During his retirement years, he was Pastor of ‘Church in the Park’ at Paradise Island in Largo, FL., where he built a vigorous ministry and fellowship.
Prior to his years in the ministry, he worked as a printer at several newspapers across the country beginning with the Butler Eagle as a paperboy at age 12. He later apprenticed there under the supervision of his father. For most of his printing career he worked at the former Ft. Lauderdale News, helping to put out the very first edition of the now South Florida Sentinel in 1960. Bob was a member of the International Typographical Union, one of the oldest trade unions in the world and served as local president for the Fort Lauderdale ITU #895. Bob and his family traveled across the country from SE Florida to Seattle, WA, with a car and a tent camper during the summers of 1971 and 1972 while he worked in numerous newspaper composing rooms. They settled in Youngstown, Ohio, where he worked for the Youngstown Vindicator until he retired from the printing trade and entered full time ministry in 1977.
From a young age, he had many interests which included riding motorcycles, driving his stock car, saltwater fishing, buying and selling automobiles, playing his harmonica, Rays baseball, singing, and preaching. He loved nothing more than sharing with others about Jesus and how his life was transformed when he came to know the Lord.
He was thankful for the family God blessed him with: children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The love of his youth, Donna Mae Burris passed away in 1997 after 40 years of marriage. But in 1998, he was blessed with the love of his old age, Ginny. What a blessing this fine man was to all who knew and loved him!
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday November 6th at 11:00 am at Christ Church 1111 Indiana Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683.
To Ginny and other family members, I wish to express my sympathy in your great loss–which is Bob’s gain. May the Lord provide all of you with His peace and comfort.
Pastor Brookhart’s counseling was crucial to me during a rough time in my life. Through that counseling my faith in the Lord grew stronger. He was part of the officiating team for my wedding and I am blessed to have known him. My deepest condolences go to the family. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace in this difficult time.
Pastor Bob worked with me at Faith Assembly in St. Petersburg before he became the pastor at Church in the Park. While he pastored at CITP he continued to serve and attend Faith Assembly. He and his wife, Ginny, have been great friends and partners with me for many years. Pastor Bob will be missed by his many friends and colleagues, but we know we shall meet again in heaven and share in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Our farewell after a meal together was always, “till we eat again.”