Lance R. Arbor

The Intelligencer

Lance Richard Arbor, a resident of Upper Black Eddy for 37 years, died Wednesday, July 8, 2009. He was 66.

Born in Mahanoy City, Pa. on Sept. 6, 1942, he was the son of Frank Richard Arbor and Katherine (Blackwell) Arbor.

He was a graduate of Neshaminy High School, and attended Rider College in Lawrenceville, N.J., Bucks County Community College, and Lower Bucks Vo-Tech School.

In the 1960s, he worked as a maintenance mechanic for Standard Press Steel, Strick Trailer Corp., and Scott & Grauer Inc.

From 1968 until 1973, he was employed by George Nakashima Furniture in New Hope, where he became the finishing and shipping/receiving foreman. He also worked for Maye Brothers Construction/Machinists.

In 1970, Lance started Arbor Enterprises, a dual business venture. He worked as a small general contractor, completing residential, commercial and government contracts, and for the next 15 years he worked as a dealer in antique prints and paper collectibles.

From 1985 to 2005, he was employed by Building Inspection Underwriters Inc. as a municipal building and plumbing inspector in Bucks and Montgomery counties, and then became a self-employed municipal, zoning and real estate building inspector.

Lance was a charter member of the Bucks County Gem Cutters Guild, a member of the Paper and Antique Collectors of America, and a member of the Washington Crossing Card Collectors Club. He was a former Red Cross CPR instructor for the Riegelsville Rescue Squad, and former member of the Tinicum Youth Athletic Association, the Palisades Athletic Association, and the Upper Bucks Parks and Recreation Committee. He was a founding member of the Upper Bucks County Cable Services Joint Franchise Consortium, a Palisades School District volunteer, a volunteer for the Bucks County Democrats, and was serving his third term on the Nockamixon Township Zoning Hearing Board when he died.

He was a member of many social advocate, Native American, and environmental organizations. He was especially active in the Bucks County chapter of the Sierra Club.

He was a loved and respected member of the Native American Alliance of Bucks County and served over the years as its president, vice president and treasurer.

He was known to fellow members as the Keeper of the Prayers. He also was an elder council member of the Native Americans of Pennsylvania.

Lance is survived by his two sons, Jason Richard Arbor of Doylestown, and Jesse Geisinger of Pottstown.

His relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of his life to be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Ingham Springs/Deer Park, 6290 Lower Mountain Road, New Hope, midway between Lahaska and New Hope. From New Hope area take 202 South, turn left on Lower Mountain Road; from Doylestown area take 202 North, turn right on Lower Mountain Road. Burial was in Mechanicsville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Lance's name may be made to the Native American Alliance of Bucks County, c/o Phil Getty, 3565 Sugan Road, New Hope, PA 18938.

July 17, 2009 3:06 AM