Robert E. Ploof Sr.

Robert E. Ploof Sr., 94, a longtime resident of Ewing Township, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023, at home in his favorite chair surrounded by family. He joins his beloved wife Ilona whose passing preceded his by six months.
Bob, as he was known to many in the area was born on March 12, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey to Leslie John Ploof and Hazel (Roberts) Ploof.
A veteran of both the US Army and US Air Force he was also a veteran of the Korean War. He had great pride in his military service and his duty to country. At seventeen he enlisted in the Army and served as a MP for two years at the 8th Army Stockade in Tokyo, Japan during the "Occupation and Reconstruction" under Gen Mac Arthur.
Returning stateside he re-enlisted into the USAF to serve as a Radar Systems Specialist under SAC. This career field found him in many obscure and isolated countries including the North African country of French Morocco and Hofn Air Station in Iceland. During these years he met "the girl down the street" and the "woman of his dreams", fell in love and married Ilona Jeanne Baszczowski in 1955 and they had four children.
Bob retired after twenty honorable years of service to country. Never one to remain idle he then became employed by and retired from the State of New Jersey, Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the then Trenton State Prison. Still not finished, he went onto the US Dept of Energy in Princeton as a security specialist utilizing his top- secret security clearance.
I'm his "spare time" Bob could be found at Fasolino Field coaching little league baseball or coaching future area HS standouts on the soccer field for West End Soccer association and gaining State Championship status.
Bob was a lifelong diehard Yankees and Giants fan. Win or lose his loyalty never wavered. He also enjoyed cruising, fishing, and gambling at his "home away from home" in AC.
A private service with "full military honors" was rendered on May 5, 2023, with close friends and family.
Bob is survived by his four children: Robert Jr (Deb), Joann, Michael, and John (Kathy). His grandchildren: Michelle Suri (Rahul), Meaghan Bull, Ryan and Alex Ploof, Michael Jr., Liz and Christopher Ploof and great-granddaughter Milli Suri. Sister Erma Nacker; sons Richard and Randy and Dear cousins Sandy Nagy (Joan); son Steve, and John Baky. God daughter Michelle Apgar (Walter ); Lauren, Michael and Matt. Special family friends: Walter Apgar Sr; Lisa and Linda.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.
He was a simple and genuine man. A man who after sixty-seven years had only a six-month separation in life now joins the love of his life Ilona once again together in eternal peace.