Robert D. Hershey Jr.

1939 - 2024

Hershey

Robert D. Hershey Jr.

6/03/1939 - 1/15/2024

Robert D. Hershey, Jr. died of complications related to myelodysplasia at his home in Chevy Chase, MD on January 15, 2024. He was 84.

Mr. Hershey retired in mid-2001 from The New York Times, where he worked for nearly 39 years, mainly reporting and editing articles involving the economy, business and investments.

A minister's son, he spent his early years in Philadelphia, PA and New Jersey and graduated from Teaneck High School in 1957. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Gettysburg College in 1961 and later received a distinguished alumnus award.

His avocations included tennis, reading and collecting currencies and baseball cards. In his later years he especially enjoyed travelling and spending time with his dear companion, Anne Fretz of Chevy Chase, MD. For business or pleasure, he visited every state as well as six continents. He was more than halfway toward a goal of visiting every county in the United States. Mr. Hershey was a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he often volunteered his time by ushering, tellering, cutting the church lawn and assisting with the food pantry.

In semi-retirement, he contributed to The Times as a freelancer writing advance obituaries and articles on travel and on personal finance and investments. Mr. Hershey's long Times connection resulted in his byline appearing in the paper during seven decades, the 1960s into the 2020s.

He and his late wife of 34 years, the former Joyce Nelson, are survived by four grown children: Kendra Hershey of Los Gatos, CA, Robert N. Hershey (m. Donna Pedersen) of Washington, DC, Alex Meyers (m. Jeremy Meyers) of Austin, TX and Jane Hershey (m. Adi Amrany) of Arlington, VA; and five grandchildren: Sagan Meyers, Ethan and Owen Hershey, and Benjamin and Naomi Amrany. He is also survived by his sister, Gina León of State College, PA. He encouraged his children to be life-long learners and to seek out adventure and opportunity while also advising "keep your wits about you."

A private burial service took place in New Oxford Cemetery in Pennsylvania. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in NW Washington, DC on March 16, 2024 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate in his honor to St. Paul's or Doctors Without Borders.