Mayor Court Recognizes Rev. Robert Tod Custer With Proclamation

Mayor Anthony J. Court offered a special recognition to Rev. Robert Tod Custer during Monday night’s regular meeting of the Ellwood City Borough Council.

Proclamation Honoring Rev. Robert Tod Custer

Mayor Anthony J. Court
Borough of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

WHEREAS, Robert Tod Custer was born on March 26, 1961, in Barberton, Ohio, to Harry “Sam” and Martha Custer, and was raised alongside his siblings—John, Mary, Alice, and Sam;

WHEREAS, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Muskingum College in 1983 and began a career of compassionate service as a church youth director and later as a Case Worker with Children and Youth Services in Summit County, Ohio;

WHEREAS, Rev. Custer married Donna Battles on April 25, 1987, and together they raised three children—Rachel, Hannah, and Caleb—whose support strengthened his calling to ministry and service;

WHEREAS, he earned a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in May 1992, was ordained in June 1992, and faithfully served congregations including the yoked Emlenton and Nickleville Presbyterian Churches and later Christ Presbyterian Church;

WHEREAS, his ministry expanded into chaplaincy and public safety service as a hospital chaplain, Police Chaplain for the Ellwood City Police Department beginning in 2002—earning the distinction of Master Chaplain—and Fire Department Chaplain beginning in 2012, while also achieving Firefighter I and EMR certifications;

WHEREAS, Rev. Custer has demonstrated dedicated community leadership through involvement with the Ellwood City Ministerium, Presbytery committees including service as Moderator, the New Wilmington Mission Conference, and the Lawrence County Housing and Human Services Board;

WHEREAS, through decades of faithful ministry, service to first responders, and commitment to family and community, Robert Tod Custer has made a lasting and meaningful impact on the Borough of Ellwood City and the surrounding region;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Anthony J. Court, Mayor of the Borough of Ellwood City, do hereby proclaim this day as Robert Tod Custer in the Borough of Ellwood City, and commend him for his lifetime of service, leadership, and devotion to faith, family, and community.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Borough of Ellwood City to be affixed on this 18th day of May 2026.

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Mayor Anthony J. Court