Robert Vander Meulen, 83, on June 20, 2021 of North Haledon, New Jersey. Robert, affectionately known to his friends and family as “Big Bob”, was born on April 11, 1938 to Henry and Elizabeth and lived in Prospect Park, NJ prior to moving to North Haledon 61 years ago. Shortly after graduating from Hawthorne High School, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a truck driver for many years. He later worked for the North Haledon DPW, retiring in 2007. Robert was a long-time member and officer of the North Haledon Volunteer Fire Department and a member of St. Paul’s RC Church of Prospect Park. He had a great sense of humor, loved to travel and especially enjoyed spending time by the ocean.
Devoted husband of Eleanor (DiPalma) Vander Meulen for 61 years. Beloved father of Debby Tarsitano of North Haledon, Bob Vander Meulen and his wife Cathy of Madison, NJ, Sue Antoci and her husband Sam of Oakland, NJ and Linda Avolio and her husband Anthony of North Haledon. Loving grandfather of Michelle and her husband, Paul, Tom and his wife Meredith, Bobby, Billy, Jack, Rowen, Quinn, Angie and Anthony and great grandfather to Gwyn, Henry and Lili. Wonderful brother of Nancy Brown of Delaware.
Family and friends may visit at the Vander Plaat – Vermeulen Memorial Home 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes on Wednesday, from 4-8 PM. Funeral service at the funeral home on Thursday 11 AM. Interment to follow at Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or Eva’s Village (393 Main St., Paterson, NJ 07501) in Robert’s memory.
For further information, or to leave condolences for the Vander Meulen family, visit www.VPMemorial.com or call 201-891-4770.