"Bob" Joseph Robert Degen's Obituary
Joseph Robert "Bob" Degen, age 78, of Lewes, Delaware, passed into the arms of Jesus on Monday, June 29, 2026. He was born November 18th, 1947, to the late, Edward F. Degen, Sr. and Dorothy M. Condon (Jennings), in Abington, PA.
Bob grew up in Montgomery County, PA. He graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in 1965 and at age 17, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served several years with the 2nd Marine Division and a year with the 1st Marine Air Wing in DaNang, Vietnam. Bob was promoted 4 times, reaching the rank of Sergeant (E5). Following his active duty, he lived in Greensboro, NC for a short time before returning to PA. On March 29, 1970, Bob met the love of his life, Catherine L. (Luttrell) and they were married on June 19, 1971. Bob and his wife moved to Lewes, Delaware at the end of 2015.
Most of his career was in Mortgage Banking, having been an Executive Vice President at several mortgage banking firms. But Bob's passion was serving the Lord. He volunteered as a pastor in PA and in Lewes, DE, where he served as the Executive Pastor and later as Care Pastor and then Pastor Emeritus at Solid Ground Church in Lewes, DE.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by 3 older brothers, Edward, William and Donald, and his sister, Joanne.
Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Catherine and their 2 children, Kimberly A. Longstreth (Earl) of Richboro, PA and William M. Degen (Lori) of Abington, PA; 7 grandchildren, Earl Longstreth (Tais), Jessica Affinito (Jeremy), Shane Longstreth, Michaela Degen, Reilly Degen (Jennifer), Brady Degen (Lily), and Maura Schumann (Tyler), 8 great grandchildren, Dominic Affinito, Antonio Affinito, Kieran Degen, Waylon Degen, Dillon Degen, Lucas Degen, Wyatt Schumann and Lily Maura Longstreth. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Fiume of Orlando, FL and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE with military honors. Family and friends may visit from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's memory to Mercy Multiplied P.O Box Nashville, TN 37222 or at https://mercymultiplied.com/give/.
Please sign Bob's Tribute wall located on this website.
FLORIST NOTE - PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS TO OUR LEWES LOCATION, ON TUESDAY, JULY 14, BY 3 PM.
What’s your fondest memory of "Bob"?
What’s a lesson you learned from "Bob"?
Share a story where "Bob"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with "Bob" you’ll never forget.
How did "Bob" make you smile?