Robert “Bobby” Lowe

Robert J. Lowe, “Bobby”, age 60, of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly and way too soon on Monday, November 22, 2021.

Bobby was born in Teaneck and raised in Wayne. He was the second oldest of William and Rose (nee Esposito) Lowe’s five children and was a graduate of Wayne Hills High School’s, Class of 1979.

After high school, Bobby and his buddy Gary Marschall each bought eighteen wheelers and went into the trucking business together. They called their enterprise MarLowe Trucking and they enjoyed working together conducting tristate hauls for the next ten years. After that, Bobby went to work as a constructor/installer for Schindler Elevator Corporation of Morristown. During his career which spanned over twenty-five years, Bobby became quite proficient at his work and was loved and respected by his colleagues within the company and trade.

Bobby and a sweet girl named Donna Schlereth actually met for the first time when they were just eleven years old. As they grew older, their love grew stronger – so much stronger that they ultimately married on July 28, 1984 at Our Lady of Consolation Church, Wayne. The wedding ceremony was followed by a reception at the Regency House in Wayne and then a honeymoon on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. They settled into their first home together as husband and wife in Wayne and have remained in the town to the present. There they enjoyed making many special memories while raising their two children. During one chapter of their marriage journey, Bobby and Donna traveled separate paths but, during that time, Bobby was never too far away and he always remained in both Donna’s life as well as her whole family who loved him so much. Then, in 2014, Bobby and Donna both realized that they really had something special together and so they married again, this time on June 24, 2014 with vows exchanged before the justice of the peace at Wayne town hall. This time, after the wedding, they went home and celebrated with a champagne toast and pizza with family and friends.

Bobby was a true diehard fan of the New York Jets, but then again, is there any other kind of Jets fan than a diehard one? He loved the ocean and would steal away to his and Donna’s summer house in Toms River every chance he could. Nothing made him happier than cruising on the bay behind his house, going for a walk on the beach, or casting his fishing line. When at home in Wayne, Bobby could often be found doing things in his garage. He loved hanging out in there, especially when the weather got cold so he could have his wood burning stove going. In fact, he just got a new one and was so excited for the impending winter months! Bobby spent so much time in that garage that when friends came to visit, they’d head straight there because looking for him in the house was usually just a waste of time.

Above all else, Bobby cherished his family. He was so proud of his kids and enjoyed special relationships with all three of them. Having coached his son Robert in local sports they grew to share a love of sports together. His son Matthew and Bobby shared a love of all things mechanical and recently, Matt had started working for Schindler Elevator too. Bobby and his daughter Danielle both loved the Jersey shore and Danielle will always have fond memories of Bobby taking her horseback riding as a kid. Bobby was also the proudest grandfather to his two grandchildren Mackenzie and Harper. Mackenzie affectionately called Bobby “Gampa” and he just loved it! Bobby could best be described as a 60 year old going on 15. He was just a big kid at heart so he was a natural at enjoying time with this grandchildren. He’d get right down on the floor with them and play.

Bobby was an amazing man who was seemingly a friend to all. He knew a lot of people from his days at Wayne Hills, his work, and his neighbors. People were drawn to him like a deer is drawn to headlights. And Bobby was the kind of guy that would stop the world and help you if you needed a hand with anything! No job was too big and he’d give you the shirt off his back if he felt you needed it more than him. Bobby touched the lives of countless people and will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bobby was the precious husband of Donna (nee Schlereth); loving and devoted father of: Robert Lowe, Jr. and wife Dana of Wayne, Danielle Lowe of Wayne, and Matthew Lowe of Wayne; adoring grandfather of: Mackenzie and Harper Lowe; much loved brother of: Linda and husband Joe Rotunda of West Milford, Luanne and husband Todd Zangrilli of Wayne, Jimmy Lowe and wife Lisa of Wayne, and Michael Lowe of Seminole, FL; dear brother-in-law of Lori Seylaz of Wayne and Johnny Schlereth of Chicago, IL; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind too many wonderful friends who will miss him so much. Bobby was predeceased by his parents William and Rose Lowe.

Bobby’s heart always went out to those that were suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, in lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Bobby’s name are asked to consider:

Turning Point, Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center
680 Broadway, Suite 104
Paterson, NJ 07514