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Calls outside of office hours? No worries! Our team will respond within 10–15 minutes.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 4-7 PM.
A funeral service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday evening, at the funeral home.
A resident of Packanack Lake for fifty two years.
Robert H. Acker, age 76 of Wayne, died peacefully at his home on Friday, May 1, 2015. He was surrounded by his loving family who had gathered at his bedside. He has been a resident of Packanack Lake for fifty two years.
After receiving his Master’s Degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Bob enjoyed a fulfilling thirty-five year career with Singer-Kearfott. He retired in 1995 as Senior Vice President of Operations. Not one to sit still, Bob began a second career as a management and technical consultant, then he returned to Stevens where he began working full time as the Associate Dean of Corporate Programs. He retired from Stevens in 2005.
Bob was raised in Union City, NJ and truly enjoyed the simplicity and wholesome lifestyle of his childhood during the 1940’s and 50’s. Stickball games in the street, three-on-three basketball games in the park, and the occasional trip over to Ebbets Field to see the Dodgers, were all experiences he cherished during his formative years. At 6’-6” tall, he became a standout All-Hudson County basketball player for Emerson High School in Union City and was very proud of his accomplishments on the court, which included a few State Championships. Just a few years ago, a ceremony was held to induct Bob into the Emerson High School’s Hall of Fame. He cherished the honor and was truly proud to be recognized. Of course, he was quick to point out to his fellow alumni that he was the only one still able to fit in his varsity jacket, which he proudly wore that day.
Bob met his wife Bettyanne while summering at the Jersey Shore. She was from Westchester County, NY and was on her first visit to the Jersey Shore when they met at a Labor Day, end-of-summer party. Bob was smitten and there began a loving courtship. On one occasion, Bob really wanted to visit with Bettyanne, but there was a terrible snow storm which had shut down the Lincoln Tunnel and all the roads. Bob walked from Union City, through the Lincoln Tunnel to the train station in Manhattan, hopped a train to Scarsdale, then walked several blocks, in deep snow, to knock on her door. Bettyanne had no idea he was even coming, but quickly realized that he was very serious about their future together! They married on July 7, 1962 and enjoyed a two-week long honeymoon in Bermuda. Well, ‘enjoyed’ may not be the right word to use, as Bob was not accustomed to the tropical sun; he ended up in bed for five days with a blistering sunburn! The second week of the honeymoon proved to be much more enjoyable. Together with Bettyanne, they have celebrated nearly fifty three years of a very solid marriage where they truly complimented each other. Their children describe their marriage as a true example of a loving and devoted couple. Bettyanne described their relationship as wonderful. She felt that although they had many ups and downs they had a complete love for each other and that complete love is what will always be with them. It certainly helped them get through many a football game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Living in Packanack Lake was like a dream for Bob and he described it as being like no other community on earth. The family oriented and friendly atmosphere, coupled with all the available activities, made Packanack the perfect place to raise a family, and together with his wife, Bettyanne, they settled here in 1963. Even before his children came of age, Bob coached the IHM-CYO high school basketball team to two league championships during the 1970’s. He continued coaching with the PLAA; baseball, softball, and naturally basketball with his own children. Bob and Bettyanne enjoyed square dancing at the clubhouse, Sunfish sailing, and attending the Packanack Players shows. His election to the Packanack Board of Governors was an honor and enlightened him to many more wonderful aspects that Packanack had to offer. He was invited to join the Packanack chapter of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out – Saturdays), which exposed him to some great camaraderie with a diverse group of fellow Packanack residents.
His spirit of involvement and service in the lake community continued in the Adirondacks. There he joined Friends of Mount Arab Fire Tower Association as a board member and served as both past president and current board member of Mount Arab Preserve Association (MAPA)
He truly enjoyed all of his experiences and the wonderful friendships he was blessed with during his years in these lake communities.
Although he was not initially a dog lover, Bob loved all of the dogs and pets that came home. Chasing them through the woods on Easter morning, retrieving a leftover stolen turkey or just taking an afternoon nap with them were some of the events that created their bonds. Bob was a very involved father. He was focused on education and his children recall him reviewing their homework often and providing encouragement for their higher education and career goals. He also felt that, as a father, it was his duty to teach his kids to be independent and self-sufficient in many ways. All of the kids learned home repair, basic car repair, did their own oil changes, tune ups and tire changes. Bob could fix anything and he passed that along even to his grandchildren. The first ‘new’ car he purchased was a 1964-1/2 Ford Mustang stick shift, which each of his children learned to drive. Besides the basics of learning to drive, Bob also taught each kid how to jump start the car by popping the clutch in second gear. That wasn’t just a lesson, but more of a necessity; it was the only way to start the car! With the odometer surpassing 200,000 miles, it’s safe to say he got his money’s worth out of that Mustang.
Summers at their camp on Mount Arab Lake outside of Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks also served to create some great memories for Bob and his family. Aboard his boat he would become “Capt’n Bob,” with the yellow captain’s hat atop his head, he would joyfully tow his grandchildren around on the tube and entertain family and friends. That boat was another labor of love, like the Mustang, and required a healthy dose of tinkering to keep it operational, but Bob loved to tinker with it. His family and loved ones will cherish those fond memories, boat rides, and lessons learned for years to come.
Bob shared some words of wisdom in his bio, which was published in the Packanack ROMEOs book in 2009. His words seem poignant at a time like this. He suggests that we all “get back to basics,” spend less time texting and emailing each other and have more personal time with those we love at the “eyeball to eyeball” level, be a good parent by planning daily family time together, and finally; family and love are the most important values.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of fifty three years; Bettyanne (nee Breitenbach) of Wayne, three children; Robert and his wife Carolyn of Highland Lakes, NJ, Betsy Cassini and her husband Chris of Pipersville, PA, and Katie Sikorski and her husband Dave of Wayne, seven grandchildren; Erin, Kevin and Emily Acker of Highland Lakes, Lauren and Christopher Cassini of Pipersville, PA, and Hannah and Riley Sikorski of Wayne, and two cousins; Henry Acker of Pennsylvania and Joan Makwinski of Wayne and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Dr., Totowa, NJ 07512 would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 4-7 PM.
A funeral service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday evening, at the funeral home.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 4-7 PM.
A funeral service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday evening, at the funeral home.
A resident of Packanack Lake for fifty two years.
Robert H. Acker, age 76 of Wayne, died peacefully at his home on Friday, May 1, 2015. He was surrounded by his loving family who had gathered at his bedside. He has been a resident of Packanack Lake for fifty two years.
After receiving his Master’s Degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Bob enjoyed a fulfilling thirty-five year career with Singer-Kearfott. He retired in 1995 as Senior Vice President of Operations. Not one to sit still, Bob began a second career as a management and technical consultant, then he returned to Stevens where he began working full time as the Associate Dean of Corporate Programs. He retired from Stevens in 2005.
Bob was raised in Union City, NJ and truly enjoyed the simplicity and wholesome lifestyle of his childhood during the 1940’s and 50’s. Stickball games in the street, three-on-three basketball games in the park, and the occasional trip over to Ebbets Field to see the Dodgers, were all experiences he cherished during his formative years. At 6’-6” tall, he became a standout All-Hudson County basketball player for Emerson High School in Union City and was very proud of his accomplishments on the court, which included a few State Championships. Just a few years ago, a ceremony was held to induct Bob into the Emerson High School’s Hall of Fame. He cherished the honor and was truly proud to be recognized. Of course, he was quick to point out to his fellow alumni that he was the only one still able to fit in his varsity jacket, which he proudly wore that day.
Bob met his wife Bettyanne while summering at the Jersey Shore. She was from Westchester County, NY and was on her first visit to the Jersey Shore when they met at a Labor Day, end-of-summer party. Bob was smitten and there began a loving courtship. On one occasion, Bob really wanted to visit with Bettyanne, but there was a terrible snow storm which had shut down the Lincoln Tunnel and all the roads. Bob walked from Union City, through the Lincoln Tunnel to the train station in Manhattan, hopped a train to Scarsdale, then walked several blocks, in deep snow, to knock on her door. Bettyanne had no idea he was even coming, but quickly realized that he was very serious about their future together! They married on July 7, 1962 and enjoyed a two-week long honeymoon in Bermuda. Well, ‘enjoyed’ may not be the right word to use, as Bob was not accustomed to the tropical sun; he ended up in bed for five days with a blistering sunburn! The second week of the honeymoon proved to be much more enjoyable. Together with Bettyanne, they have celebrated nearly fifty three years of a very solid marriage where they truly complimented each other. Their children describe their marriage as a true example of a loving and devoted couple. Bettyanne described their relationship as wonderful. She felt that although they had many ups and downs they had a complete love for each other and that complete love is what will always be with them. It certainly helped them get through many a football game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Living in Packanack Lake was like a dream for Bob and he described it as being like no other community on earth. The family oriented and friendly atmosphere, coupled with all the available activities, made Packanack the perfect place to raise a family, and together with his wife, Bettyanne, they settled here in 1963. Even before his children came of age, Bob coached the IHM-CYO high school basketball team to two league championships during the 1970’s. He continued coaching with the PLAA; baseball, softball, and naturally basketball with his own children. Bob and Bettyanne enjoyed square dancing at the clubhouse, Sunfish sailing, and attending the Packanack Players shows. His election to the Packanack Board of Governors was an honor and enlightened him to many more wonderful aspects that Packanack had to offer. He was invited to join the Packanack chapter of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out – Saturdays), which exposed him to some great camaraderie with a diverse group of fellow Packanack residents.
His spirit of involvement and service in the lake community continued in the Adirondacks. There he joined Friends of Mount Arab Fire Tower Association as a board member and served as both past president and current board member of Mount Arab Preserve Association (MAPA)
He truly enjoyed all of his experiences and the wonderful friendships he was blessed with during his years in these lake communities.
Although he was not initially a dog lover, Bob loved all of the dogs and pets that came home. Chasing them through the woods on Easter morning, retrieving a leftover stolen turkey or just taking an afternoon nap with them were some of the events that created their bonds. Bob was a very involved father. He was focused on education and his children recall him reviewing their homework often and providing encouragement for their higher education and career goals. He also felt that, as a father, it was his duty to teach his kids to be independent and self-sufficient in many ways. All of the kids learned home repair, basic car repair, did their own oil changes, tune ups and tire changes. Bob could fix anything and he passed that along even to his grandchildren. The first ‘new’ car he purchased was a 1964-1/2 Ford Mustang stick shift, which each of his children learned to drive. Besides the basics of learning to drive, Bob also taught each kid how to jump start the car by popping the clutch in second gear. That wasn’t just a lesson, but more of a necessity; it was the only way to start the car! With the odometer surpassing 200,000 miles, it’s safe to say he got his money’s worth out of that Mustang.
Summers at their camp on Mount Arab Lake outside of Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks also served to create some great memories for Bob and his family. Aboard his boat he would become “Capt’n Bob,” with the yellow captain’s hat atop his head, he would joyfully tow his grandchildren around on the tube and entertain family and friends. That boat was another labor of love, like the Mustang, and required a healthy dose of tinkering to keep it operational, but Bob loved to tinker with it. His family and loved ones will cherish those fond memories, boat rides, and lessons learned for years to come.
Bob shared some words of wisdom in his bio, which was published in the Packanack ROMEOs book in 2009. His words seem poignant at a time like this. He suggests that we all “get back to basics,” spend less time texting and emailing each other and have more personal time with those we love at the “eyeball to eyeball” level, be a good parent by planning daily family time together, and finally; family and love are the most important values.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of fifty three years; Bettyanne (nee Breitenbach) of Wayne, three children; Robert and his wife Carolyn of Highland Lakes, NJ, Betsy Cassini and her husband Chris of Pipersville, PA, and Katie Sikorski and her husband Dave of Wayne, seven grandchildren; Erin, Kevin and Emily Acker of Highland Lakes, Lauren and Christopher Cassini of Pipersville, PA, and Hannah and Riley Sikorski of Wayne, and two cousins; Henry Acker of Pennsylvania and Joan Makwinski of Wayne and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Dr., Totowa, NJ 07512 would be greatly appreciated.
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