Robert Matthew Rights

FRANKFORD - Robert Matthew Rights, 91, died peacefully at Lake Owassa on Sept. 5, 2013.

Born in a house in Bayonne in 1922, Robert lived in many places in New Jersey as his family moved with their father while he planned and built many bridges in New Jersey.

In 1942, Robert entered the U.S. Army where he served in both the European and Pacific Theaters in World War II. He was both a medic and an ambulance driver and was forever affected by the pain and suffering he saw.

After serving his country, Robert sent penny postcards to colleges around the United States seeking acceptance under the GI Bill. He was accepted at Bethany College, in Lindsborg, Kan., where he went and met his wife and best friend of 64 years, Edith Anderson (Rights). Married in 1949, he taught in a Kansas one-room country schoolhouse prior to returning to New Jersey. Robert and Edith moved to Upper Montclair in 1956.

Robert went on to receive his master's degree in education from Montclair State College. He was the principal and a teacher in Hope. From 1953 until 1991, he taught at NCE/NJIT. He created and directed the Media Department. He served as president of the Professional Staff Association and the Faculty Council.

Sensing a need for a better engineering textbook, he co-authored "Fundamentals of Civil Engineering Graphics"� and an associated workbook. Upon retiring, he yearly self-published short pamphlets on topics of his interest.

During the summer, the family went to their Lake Owassa cabin, which Robert built into a lake house. He was the original environmentalist and many of the building materials he used were from other houses that had been torn down including recycled nails and screws. Summer volunteering from 1957 until 1985 included the Art Show in Sussex County held annually at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show and with the Lake Owassa Community Association, heading the recreation committee and serving on the board and as president.

Additional volunteer work included time spent as a Cub and Boy Scout leader and trainer. Robert served the Red Cross as a disaster service volunteer and as a water safety and CPR instructor. He was a volunteer Civil Defense Shelter Manager.

For about 30 years he volunteered, weekly, to sort and arrange used books for the annual book sale of the AAUW-College Women's Club of Montclair. This project provides award money for girls who are attending college.

Robert is survived by his wife, Edith; his sons: David of Florida, Bruce and his wife, Susan Ferris, and stepdaughter, Amy Martin, of New Providence; John Rights and Lisa Heuslein of Lake Owassa. He also is survived by his sisters, Jean Gulden of North Carolina and Alana Hoffman of Maine.

Friends and family are encouraged to send donations to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07860; Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Branchville, NJ 07826; or Frankford Township Fire Department, PO Box 419, Augusta, NJ 07822.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, 16 Main St., Branchville. Online condolences may be offered at www.woodfuneralhome.net.