Robert Hobart FOLSTADT, Sr.

FOLSTADT, VANDEVENTER, ZOELLER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/6/2008 at 22:22:11

ROBERT HOBART FOLSTADT SR.

Distributed millions of pocket-size cross tokens
Robert Hobart Folstadt Sr., a tool and die craftsman who created aluminum "Cross in My Pocket" pieces, died Wednesday of lymphoma. He was 88. Mr. Folstadt began creating the metal crosses in his metal fabrication shop about 40 years ago and has distributed millions of them around the world. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. today at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church in Garland, with burial at Restland Memorial Park.

Mr. Folstadt was born in 1918 in Popejoy, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy and served for two years with the 46th Construction Battalion in the South Pacific. He returned to Garland and married Vida Vandeventer 60 years ago.

"He loved nature, outdoors and all of God's beauty," Mrs. Folstadt said. "We loved to travel. We spent many summers in the Colorado mountains."

Mr. Folstadt owned a metal fabrication business where he designed metal parts before he retired more than 12 years ago, but he continued to create his crosses and stayed active in the community. Even while Mr. Folstadt was in the hospital, his wife continued his mission by mailing 3,000 crosses to be distributed to soldiers in Iraq. A large number was sent to Uganda.

Mr. Folstadt was an active member of Axe Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 55 years. He was honored with 50 years' membership in the Masonic Lodge No. 441 in Garland. He also became a Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason and joined the Hella Shriners Legion of Honor.

"He did a lot of things quietly. He didn't want recognition for it. He was just grateful for all the Lord had provided for him," said his daughter, Dr. Maroba Folstadt Zoeller.

He distributed food that would have otherwise been discarded by area stores and delivered it to those in need.

"He was constantly giving to people," said Dr. Zoeller. "When he saw a need, he fulfilled it quietly in his own way."

With a special interest in antique cars and motorcycles, he belonged to the Horseless Carriage Club and owned Ford Model A's and Model T's.

When he was 85, he bought a 1913 Indian motorcycle. He occasionally took it on short trips through the neighborhood and sometimes to the local motorcycle shop to hand out crosses.

Mr. Folstadt's son and grandson will continue his mission of giving away the crosses.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Folstadt is survived by his son, Robert Hobart Folstadt Jr., and his grandson, Robert Hobart Folstadt III.

Dallas Morning News, Texas, copyright
November 27, 2006