The Reverend Dr. Robert Lloyd Sullivan went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of May 13, 2023, following injuries sustained in an auto accident in Baltimore, MD. He was born in Philadelphia on August 6, 1934. He became an Eagle Scout and spent his young adult years in Ardmore, PA, graduating from Lower Merion High School.
Robert received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Penn State University, where he was in the ROTC program, graduating as a second lieutenant in the US Army. Following graduation, he completed his military service at Fort Knox, KY.
Robert earned his Bachelor’s and Master of Divinity degrees at Princeton Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Dr. Sullivan began his 58-year career in ministry at Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia, NY. He also served the Mattituck Presbyterian Church in Mattituck, NY, the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, NJ, and the Cypress Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach, FL.
He authored two books, “The Separation of Church and State” and “God’s Greatest Experiment,”
He was the first pastor to introduce contemporary worship to churchgoers on the East Coast.
After retiring from full-time ministry, Robert served as interim pastor at churches throughout Southern NJ.
Preceding Robert in death are his parents, Lloyd Andrew Sullivan, Irene Estelle (Kugel) Sullivan, and his sister Elaine Davis.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, his twin sister Barbara D’Arcy, and his first wife, Betty Anne Clayton, who is the mother of his three children, Lisa Macalaster, Brent Sullivan, and Jamie Lockton. His three stepchildren, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren also survive him.
A Celebration of Life service will take place on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, NJ.
