Robert Secor Obituary

SECOR
Robert, "Bob," 84, of Maywood, formerly of River Vale, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.
Before retiring, Bob worked for Burroughs/Unisys as a Service Representative. Attended Grace Bible Church in North Haledon and a devoted historian for the towns of River Vale and Westwood.
Cherished husband of 59 years to Janet Secor (nee Beyer). Loving father of Robert Secor of Richboro, PA, Gail Andrews of San Diego, CA, Nancy Lepera of Hasbrouck Heights. Beloved grandfather of seven grandchildren and dear brother of William Leroy Secor Jr. of Champaign, IL.
Family will receive friends on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 South Farview Avenue, Paramus. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, Paramus. Interment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
For further information
www.vanderplaat.com

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Published by The Record/Herald News on Jan. 9, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Secor

9 Entries

January 13, 2014

Iinkkl

Jill Eschenbach Greene

January 10, 2014

How sad I am to hear of Bob's passing. He was one of the finest people that I ever met with the most giving heart. Rest in peace, Bob. You've earned that priviledge. You will be missed.

Paul Stefanowicz

January 10, 2014

RIP Bob, from a fellow local historian.
A letter I sent today to The Record editor:

Upon passing through the Obituaries in The Record of January 10, 2014, I came across news that gave me pause.

I must lament the passing of River Vale historian Bob Secor.

As a town historian in Tenafly, I saw Bob as my all-time favorite non-Tenafly historian. He stayed behind the scenes in his historical endeavors, never so much as serving as even an official town historian or historical society officer.
Bob was, however, a member of the Pascack Historical Society.

He grew up in River Vale but lived in Maywood for over 50 years.

Bob knew more facts and lore relating to River Vale than anyone ever, and he learned by following around old timers from a very young age and asking them questions and hearing stories. He combined these with recollections of his own experiences.

He put quite a few of them down on paper, thank goodness, and, (in between rounds of golf), presented them for general consumption in an anecdotal way that I found delightful.

Bob had a basic binding machine at home, and would "run off" a few copies of his books (he had two books of reminiscences he produced on his own) upon request by any interested party, or if a library lost their copy.

Until I met Bob, I had only known of one of those two books, and after corresponding with him for a few days, came home from work one evening to find a 'signed copy" of his second book, waiting for me at my front stoop.
He "bound it" and hand delivered it from Maywood because he thought I'd like it.

I long ago printed out some of the lore-intensive correspondences he and I had, which I have in a report binder on my desk at arm's length. Bob was not only about telling stories - he had views on how local history could be presented, and knew local history was a craft and not just an accumulation of notes and artifacts.

I am very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to the Secor family. What an example he was to me, as a local historian, in getting the story out there in a way people relate to it, but not seeking publicity in the process.

Lastly, Mr. Secor contributed heavily to the History of River Vale book that was published at the end of 2010, and is still available for purchase at River Vale library.

Bob, while you have left us, your stories will live on.

Regards,

Paul

Bob Secor

January 10, 2014

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January 9, 2014

It was a pleasure to know you and all the advise you gave me . My condolences.
Dave Ullrich

Bob White

January 9, 2014

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

January 9, 2014

This precious late father, husband and grandfather raised the lovely daughter we know as Gail Secor Andrews. But our deepest sympathy to all the family members. Bob & Adele Wilson

Shirley Francaviglia

January 9, 2014

We know where you are, Bob, but we will always miss you. You impacted many people, and left a legacy to remember. We love you..

Judith Prichard

January 9, 2014

Sincere condolences from The Prichard Family

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