the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Saddle River NJ, Robert Re of Saddle River passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Born on March 28, 1931 in Floral Park, NY, his family moved to Waldwick in 1937 and Saddle River in 1946, where he became a life-long resident. In 1948, he graduated from Saint Luke’s High School where he was the captain of the baseball team and sports editor for the school newspaper. After high school, he attended Farleigh Dickinson University and played minor league baseball for the New York Giants until joining the Marine Corps. He served on the front lines during the Korean conflict until he was called up to play second base in the Marine Corps Baseball Leagues. Afterwards, he returned to Saddle River and met the love of his life, Sylvia. They married, raised four daughters, and spent 68 years together. He later resumed his education and graduated from Rutgers University and is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. As a parishioner of Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, he believed in service to others and devotion to family. He was an amazing listener, storyteller, and the king of silly jokes, but most of all he was the most loving and patient husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle.
His commitment to service, led him to join the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department in 1956. He worked his way up the ranks and became the Police Chief in 1972. After retiring in 1987 he continued his law enforcement career as a US Marshall, an Undersheriff of Bergen County, Director of Police at the Bergen County Police and Fire Academy, and the Director of the Saddle River Police Department. A talented writer, he authored a weekly column, “Behind the Badge”, for the Bergen Record. He worked as a security consultant for former President Richard Nixon and later became Richard Nixon’s Director of Security. Throughout his extensive career, he implemented new and innovative techniques to promote the safety of all citizens as well as his fellow police officers. He believed in community policing, and it was his belief that all police officers should be educators, fostering a greater understanding between the police and the public they served.
Beyond his career, Bob was dedicated to his community as a volunteer and was well loved and highly respected. As a Saddle River Council member for many years, he served on many borough committees. He was a president of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association and the Saddle River Valley Club, and a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the VFW. He played tennis and softball and was a die-hard Mets Fan.
He is predeceased by his parents, John and Louise and brother-in-law John Kelleher. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia and daughters, Pam (Barry) Mino. Debbie (Bob) Dehn, Patti (Robert) Armenti and Roberta (Jim) Kleinbard, nine grandchildren, Robert (Hilary) Dehn, Kristi (Josh) Neville, Oscar Dehn, Rob Armenti, Tommy (Melanie) Armenti, Maggie Armenti, Christopher Armenti, Re Anne Kleinbard and DJ Kleinbard and six greatgrandchildren, his sister Carol Kelleher, and nieces Kathleen Kelleher and LouAnn (Tushar) Vora.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, February 20 from 3-7 PM at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, February 21 at 10 AM at St. Gabriel the Archangel RC Church, 88 E. Saddle River Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.
Great leader…One of the last of the old school police chiefs…
A terrific law enforcement executive and a good friend. He’ll be missed. RIP.
i just learned of bobs death via leatherneck magazine with sadness.we joimed the marine corps at the same time.we both served at Korea.we communicated back at new jersey. bob was a geat guy.missed by all who new him.