Retired after a fulfilling career at Union Carbide’s Institute plant and then at Columbia Gas, Robert C. (Rob) Bane II began as pulpit supply at Falls View Presbyterian Church in Charlton Heights in May 2021. He has served as their Commissioned Pastor since January 2023.
Rob reports that coming to Falls View feels like coming home to the small Disciples of Christ church in which he grew up. He says, “They are a dear people, and I have already grown close to them.” Parishioners say that “God sent him to us.” It is a feeling he fully reciprocates as he believes he is exactly where God wants him to be.
Falls View folks are celebrating the advent of children in the congregation again because the organist is bringing his wife and their two children, a boy and a girl, to church. Rob includes a weekly children’s sermon relating to that week’s lectionary text. The children also repeat aloud a Bible verse that they memorized at school that week. The children’s friends and their families occasionally accompany them.
As he looks back over his life, Rob sees good and bad times, but he has learned to lean on God and to follow His directions. Rob especially values the importance of listening to God in prayer. Rob is most hopeful that Falls View will grow. He dreams of doing a baptism.
His family is a close and constant joy. There is Carol, his wife of 39 years, who is a preschool teacher at First Presbyterian in Charleston. Sons are Brian and Andrew and granddaughters are Alexis and Olivia, who all live nearby in Kanawha City.