Arline Zatz
2026
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Arline Zatz, a writer whose work celebrated New Jersey, passed away at 88 on Monday. For decades, she had informed and inspired readers through her books, articles, and photography, becoming a trusted voice on exploring the Garden State.
After having two children, she worked her way up from a local consumer affairs department to become Assistant Coordinator of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. She actively fought for “the little guy.”
Arline then went to Rutgers University late in life and graduated with a BA in Journalism and Communications in 1977, starting an enduring career as a feature writer, with thousands of feature articles on the outdoors and other topics. Her journalism and photography appeared in publications including the New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Asbury Park Press, Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer, and National Geographic World.
She wrote several guidebooks to the state: Horsing Around in New Jersey (Rutgers University Press), New Jersey’s Great Gardens (W.W. Norton), 30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey (Backcountry Publications), Best Hikes with Children in New Jersey (The Mountaineers Books), New Jersey’s Special Places (W.W. Norton), and 100 Years of Volunteer Wildlife Law Enforcement (New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife).
Arline volunteered for two decades as a Hunter Education Instructor with the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. She had a passion for nature and storytelling.
Her husband of 65 years was Dr. Joel Zatz, a professor and researcher and professor at Rutgers University who passed on in 2020. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Robert Zatz and Dr. David Zatz; her daughter-in-law, Dr. Katherine Houghton Zatz; and her grandchildren, Zoe and Benjamin Zatz.
After having two children, she worked her way up from a local consumer affairs department to become Assistant Coordinator of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. She actively fought for “the little guy.”
Arline then went to Rutgers University late in life and graduated with a BA in Journalism and Communications in 1977, starting an enduring career as a feature writer, with thousands of feature articles on the outdoors and other topics. Her journalism and photography appeared in publications including the New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Asbury Park Press, Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer, and National Geographic World.
She wrote several guidebooks to the state: Horsing Around in New Jersey (Rutgers University Press), New Jersey’s Great Gardens (W.W. Norton), 30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey (Backcountry Publications), Best Hikes with Children in New Jersey (The Mountaineers Books), New Jersey’s Special Places (W.W. Norton), and 100 Years of Volunteer Wildlife Law Enforcement (New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife).
Arline volunteered for two decades as a Hunter Education Instructor with the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. She had a passion for nature and storytelling.
Her husband of 65 years was Dr. Joel Zatz, a professor and researcher and professor at Rutgers University who passed on in 2020. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Robert Zatz and Dr. David Zatz; her daughter-in-law, Dr. Katherine Houghton Zatz; and her grandchildren, Zoe and Benjamin Zatz.
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