Robert H. Schmitt

Robert H. Schmitt, 88, a longtime resident of East Hanover, N.J., died on Sept. 29, 2013, in Florham Park, N.J. His wife of 62 years, Elinor Isabel Phelps, predeceased him in 2011. A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 469 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at 2 p.m. Arrangements are by Hancliffe Home for Funerals. Bob graduated from Columbia High School in South Orange, N.J., after serving in the United States Army during World War II, achieving the rank of sergeant 1st class. After the war, he attended what was then known as Newark State Teachers College, and married his beloved Ellie in 1949. Bob was employed by Public Service Electric & Gas at its Maplewood testing laboratory for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1987. He was a founding member of the East Hanover First Aid Squad and helped construct its facility on Ridgedale Avenue. Bob also was active for many years at Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church and was a member of Madison Masonic Lodge, and then a founding member of Kane Lodge, East Hanover. After retiring, Bob volunteered as property manager at Historic Speedwell in Morristown, N.J. Bob was born on Feb. 6, 1925, in Orange, N.J., the youngest son of Reverend William Martin Schmitt and Bertha Gladys Heimroth. His brother, William J., and sister, Regina C., predeceased him. He is survived by daughters, Deborah Lynn (Martin J. Bussert) and Janet Ellen (Bruce Lordi); son, Gary Robert; grandchildren, Joe and Liz Bussert, Bruce, Heather Abad, Jessica Lordi, and Amanda and Lena Schmitt; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Ethan Abad, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His devotion to his family and community will be long remembered. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.