Robert Buyck

Robert E. Buyck, age 90, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home surrounded with love by his family, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

Bob was born in Paterson, the son of August and Marie (Van Der Sande) Buyck. He was raised in the family’s home at 196 Grant Ave. in Totowa until he was fifteen. At that time, his family moved to 26 Greene Ave. in Totowa. He was a graduate of Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls with the Class of 1949.

During his years in high school, Bob worked part-time at the Crayola Crayon Factory in Paterson. One day his boss told him that he had to unfortunately lay him off because Bob was underage. Unflustered, Bob exited the crayon factory and took a walk down the street to a business called Hillside Laundry. He started working that same day! Once he graduated, Bob took a job in the tool room at an auto dealership called Von Lengerke Motor Company – a Buick dealership in Paterson. Working on Buicks seemed only fitting as his last name “Buyck” was commonly pronounced “Buick”. It was a good job for a guy like Bob who had a real interest in cars. As a young man, he and his buddies started their own club called the Speedsters Car Club in Lodi. All the members had “official” jackets. As for Bob, while his first car was a 1938 Pontiac sedan, his favorite was his 1951 Ford Fairlane 500 with dual pipes and a racing stripe.  

One day after work Bob came home to a letter that arrived in the mail that day from Uncle Sam. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Bob attained the rank of Sergeant and for his proud service to his country, he received the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Bob returned from Korea to find out that his 51 Ford Fairlane had turned into a 1956 black and white Ford Crown Victoria. Truth be told, his father replaced it when he accidently put Bob’s prized Fairlane into the Passaic River.

Attempting to get back into the workforce, Bob applied for jobs at three different potential employers: the U.S. Postal Service, Public Service Electric and Gas, and New Jersey Bell. The telephone company was the first to respond and for the next thirty-two years, through the company’s name change to Verizon, Bob worked in numerous roles. He started his career climbing poles as a lineman, then moved into different sectors of the job including repairman, switchman, and ultimately the title of supervisor until retiring in 1988. When asked about his job, Bob said “I really enjoyed that career!”

In April, 1959, Bob married Carol Klaus and they moved into the home located at 69 Knolls Road in Bloomingdale. From there they moved to 366 Valley View Ave. in Paramus and ultimately Bob ended up in Wayne where he continued to live the rest of his life. Bob and Carol were blessed with two children, Suzanne and Jon. Eventually, Bob and Carol parted ways amicably and Bob found love again and enjoyed a thirty-plus year companionship with Clare DeVries.

It was well-known by Bob’s family and friends that, if you were looking for him on a Saturday afternoon, he could usually be found at the racetrack. He loved betting on the horses and spent lots of time betting and watching the races with Bruce – his buddy from work, or with family. Bob was well-acquainted with all the racetracks including, Meadowlands, Belmont, Aqueduct, Garden State, Freehold, Yonkers, and any other one you could think of. He also loved the game of roulette and played frequently in Atlantic City and on his cruise vacations. Throughout his life he also enjoyed bowling in various leagues. He bowled for many years in the phone company’s league which bowled at the former 10-lane Haledon Rec. He also bowled in Wyckoff and the Bowlero lanes in Clifton.  

One of Bob’s favorite pastimes was traveling. His son and daughter can tell you about the annual road trips, during the dog days of August to Disney World in the old Dodge station wagon with no air conditioning. Those trips were fun but they were hot, so nobody was upset to see that station wagon be replaced by a Mercury wagon with much-appreciated AC. There were also many family cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and all over the Caribbean, and annual visits to see Bob’s parents at their condo in Florida.

Above all else, Bob’s family was his greatest treasure in life. He loved going on cruises together, gathering for all the big holidays and birthdays, and attending all his grandchildren’s sporting and musical events, graduations, and weddings.

Bob was the loving companion of Clare DeVries; dear father of: Suzanne Russo and her husband Michael of Glen Rock and Jon Buyck and his wife Arlene of Rochelle Park,; cherished grandfather of: Matthew Russo and his wife Tierney, Katherine Harper and her husband Seth, Christina Russo, Jonathan Buyck, and Nicholas Buyck; and adoring great-grandfather of Theodore Harper.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Robert’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Click Here for a mailable form to send with your donation