Robert A. Flower

Robert A. Flower

September 4, 1940 – September 9, 2023

Robert (Bob) Allen Flower, 83, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Bob was born on September 4, 1940 in Upland, California, son of the late Clifford A. and Grace C. Flower.  Bob attended Emmaus High School in Emmaus, Pennsylvania and received his Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 1963, where he played Football and Lacrosse.  Bob was a proud member of the Rutgers 1961 undefeated Football team and as a member of that team, has been inducted in to the Rutgers Football Hall of Fame.  He went on to receive his Master’s degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1971.  

Bob married Esther Elizabeth Goyne on February 19, 1966 in Conyngham, Pennsylvania.  In 1967, Bob and Esther moved to Packanack Lake in Wayne, New Jersey, where they have lived for 56 years and raised three sons.  Bob started teaching Physical Education and Health in the Wayne Township Public Schools in 1963.  Bob was a well-loved coach of Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track and Field at Wayne Hills.  Towards the end of his career, Bob served as the Department Chair of Physical Education, and at one point, was tapped to be the Interim Athletic Director.  After 40 years of teaching the children of Wayne, Bob retired in 2003.  

Always involved in his sons’ activities, Bob served as the President of the Wayne Valley Football Booster Club for many years.  For 30 summers, Bob served as the pool manager at the Glen Ridge Country Club.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Esther Flower; three beloved sons – Michael Allen Flower and wife, Laura Flower of Wayne, New Jersey; Douglas Goyne Flower and wife, Larissa Flower of Wayne, New Jersey; James MacGregor Flower and wife, Joyce Flower of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; Drake Flower, Caden Flower, Bryce Flower, Sophia Flower, Canyon Flower, Piper Flower and Asher Flower; his sister, Ellen Yerkes and brother in law Hal Yerkes; and two nieces and a nephew.

Bob was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather.  Nothing made Bob happier than being with family and attending untold numbers of school performances, plays, musical concerts and every sporting event imaginable of his children and grandchildren.   Bob loved sharing his home on Lake Wallenpaupack, PA with friends and family.  Many memories were made there – boating, fishing, and playing card games.  Bob was a friend to all and the family finds comfort in the many, many colleagues and students who share how much they loved working with Bob and having Mr. Flower as their teacher.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to be made to the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or the Wayne Council of PTO’s Memorial Scholarship Fund, 50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.