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Robert L. Poncer

1932 - 2014

A Tribute to a Faithful Deacon

It was my privilege to serve our God with Bro. Bob Poncer for almost thirty-five years. He was an exemplary man in many, many ways; and he was a faithful, exemplary deacon. Truly, he used the office of deacon well, for the glory of Christ, the benefit of his church, and doing everything he could to make his pastor’s work easier.

Welcome

Everyone who visited Grace Church was welcomed by Bob and Sally Poncer. They both made it a point to greet our guests warmly. Bob and Sally always opened their home to guest preachers and their wives. Many have told me how delightful and blessed it was for them to stay with the Poncers. Every visiting pastor who stayed with them once, requested to stay with them again. Why? Because they so much looked forward to the mornings and prayer time at the Poncer breakfast table. What blessedness they have related to me, being led to the throne of grace as Bro. Bob prayed for them, prayed for God’s saints, prayed for his pastor, and prayed for lost souls who were about to hear the gospel.

Friend

Bro. Bob was especially the friend of our church children. He genuinely loved them; and they loved him. He made it his business to involve himself in their lives. He tried his best to attend every child’s school plays, recitals, awards, and graduations.

But children were not the only ones served by Bob. He was always first to visit the sick, always first to call, always first in the hospital room, always first to give a helping hand, always first to serve.

Husband

Bob Poncer was a loving, faithful husband and father. He honored God in his house. In his greatest times of sickness and physical weakness, his first and most constant concern was Sally. He was always concerned much more for Sally’s welfare and happiness than he was about any affliction he was enduring.

Deacon

My dear friend was one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever known. In all the years I was privileged to be his pastor, he and I never had a cross word. Never once did I hear him complain about anything. Never once did I hear him speak ill of anyone. Never once did I know of him engaging in gossip of any kind. When I suggested a work for our assembly to undertake, a project we should attempt, a missionary we should support, Bob Poncer enthusiastically threw himself into it and encouraged others to do so.

Two years before his death, Bro. Bob lost one of his legs. He was never able to walk again without a walker. Even then, every step was difficult, very difficult. I estimate that it took him at least three hours to get dressed and get to our services. But Bob Poncer never missed a service, except when he was unable to attend; and he was usually the first or second to arrive. How I love and admire that dear man! How I thank God for making him so much a part of my life!

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s