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Robert Henry “Bob” Lang, 86, of Surfside Beach, SC died unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep on April 25, 2024. Bob was known for his devotion to family and friends, his zeal for classic cars and for telling and hearing a good story, and his love of music and sharing good times. Family, community and hobbies filled his life until his final hours—including travels to antique car shows with his sons this spring, and a family trip to the North Carolina mountains in February with his wife, Betty Lee Lang, to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. Bob was born on Jan. 18, 1938 to John Wesley Lang and Irene (De Grange) Lang of Meadville, PA. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Lang. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Lee Lang; sons Bob Lang, Jr. (Grace) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Larry Lang (Ann) of Washington, NC; daughter Sandy Lang (Peter Frank Edwards) of Wadmalaw Island, SC; granddaughters Kelsey Sampere (Justin) of Zebulon, NC, Rachel Jefferson (Kody) of Willow Spring, NC, and Emma Lang of Charleston, SC; grandson Kyle Lang of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law Donna Lang of Meadville, PA, and Joan Barra (Paul) of Columbia, SC; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. A graduate of Meadville High School who played baritone horn in the school band, Bob earned a business degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he played on the tennis team. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, 1961-1967. Bob met the love of his life, Betty, at a club in NYC in 1962 when he was working in the city and living above the Peppermint Lounge. The two married in 1964, honeymooned in Hollywood Beach, FL, and lived in Pennsylvania and California before moving to Surfside Beach in 1980 with their three children. He has been an active member of the Methodist church all of his life. His first jobs were at his father’s automotive dealership, Lang Motors (still open in its 100th year in Meadville, PA). His career in sales focused on cars, building products and real estate. In retirement, he found great joy as a substitute teacher at Socastee High School for many years—and he loved sharing stories with the students. Bob was a member and often leader of projects with civic groups including the Jaycees, Sertoma Club, Toastmasters (he co-founded a club on the South Strand), Antique Automobile Association, Rotary Club, International Order of the Hoo Hoo (lumber industry group), and various car, tennis and ping pong clubs. He also helped with community celebrations marking the 25th and 50th founding anniversaries of the Town of Surfside Beach. As a young teen, Bob was the Soap Box Derby champion of Meadville, building, naming, and driving his “Wheels of Fortune” to victory. Cars were his favorite hobby and he owned more than 100 over the years, especially classics from the ‘30s to ‘50s. The 1955 Corvette that he bought in 1969 and often drove in Surfside Beach parades is still owned by one of his sons. He enjoyed camping and road trips and made four cross-country drives—one time with Betty in a 1954 Jaguar (going over 100 mph in a stretch of desert), and then with his wife and young children in the 1970s in a 1956 Cadillac Convertible. He and Betty continued to travel in retirement and took vacations to Hawaii, Canada and Europe. He often told stories of kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland and cruising the Rhine River in Germany. Conneaut Lake, PA, held a special place in his heart. The small town near Meadville was where he swam as a child and learned to water ski. At Conneaut Lake Park he took his first rollercoaster ride on The Blue Streak, and in college he worked at a lakeside hotel as a bell hop. In his 20s, he zoomed over the lake in his Corvette-powered hydroplane boat. In the early 2000s, he and Betty purchased a house on the lake and enjoyed many summers there entertaining family and friends. Bob always felt lucky that his high school years coincided with the emergence of rock and roll. He listened to music daily and his favorite artists included Dire Straits, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Darius Rucker, Miley Cyrus, Chubby Checker and many more. He especially enjoyed dancing with Betty and going to live music shows. At a Surfside Beach festival last summer he walked up to the band and made a request for “Take it Easy” by the Eagles. That got everyone cheering and dancing. Friends and family are invited to a 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Surfside United Methodist Church, 800 13th Ave. N., Surfside Beach, SC, 29575. The service will be followed by interment in the church Columbarium and a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Surfside United Methodist Church, 800 13th Ave., N, Surfside Beach, SC 29575. Please share a memory and sign the family’s guestbook at: www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Arrangements by Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel.

Tributes

Robert "Bob" Henry Lang

January 18, 1938 - April 25, 2024