Obituary of Robert H. Wachendorf

READINGTON TWP. - Robert H. Wachendorf, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, 90, died on Friday, June 1, 2007, surrounded by his family. His parents, Charles F. and Margaret Barr Wachendorf, and his sisters, Marie Baum, and Ruth Lender, predeceased him. Born in Jersey City on June 21, 1916, his early years were spent in Hudson County, NJ and Sullivan County, NY. In the 1930s, his father operated State Dairies Creamery, Lebanon, NJ, located where H.K.Buzby & Sons Building Supply is today. After graduating from high school and NY Agricultural School (now SUNY, Delhi), Mr. Wachendorf began farming in Readington Township in 1941. Shortly thereafter, he married Violet E. Laugel, a teacher. He enlisted in WWII and served as a Staff Sgt. in the Pacific Theatre, including the Battle of Okinawa. After WWII, he opened a retail milk delivery business in Readington, earned a BS degree from Rutgers University and a JD degree from Seton Hall University. He practiced law for 30 years in Whitehouse Station. During that time, he was active in many community service and professional organizations including the Rescue Squad, Lions Club, and Hunterdon County Bar Association. Also, he was a member and officer of various governmental boards, including the Planning Board, School Board, Board of Adjustment, Board of Taxation, Board of Assessment, and Board of Tax Appeals. A communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, he served for several years on the parish advisory committee. He is survived by Violet, his wife of 65 years; three children, Joan (Daniel) Murphy, Robert, and Thomas; grandsons, Robert Todd and Colin; a great-grandchild, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 9:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Whitehouse Station. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 7-9 P.M. at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 390 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889.