Robert Hengeveld

Robert Andrew Hengeveld, age 78, formerly of Wayne passed away suddenly on August 9, 2024.

Robert was born in Paterson, NJ on June 24, 1946 to William A. Hengeveld and Irma Mae Hargreaves. Bob, to his friends, spent his childhood in Little Falls and graduated from Passaic Valley High School. He went on to study at Gettysburg College where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. His time at Gettysburg instilled in Bob a love of civil war history and he was proud of his great-father’s service to the Union Army. Bob went on to attend Farleigh Dickinson University for his doctorate in dental medicine. 

After graduation, Robert started a family dental practice on Ratzer Road where he became affectionately know as Dr. Bob. Between his home office and a second location on Hamburg Turnpike, he served the Wayne community from 1972 until 2008. Dr. Bob hated to see anyone in pain and opened his office for emergencies whenever needed. At the end of every year, Dr. Bob chose a family to forgive their balance to ensure all patients could receive care regardless of their financial status.

In addition to his love of dentistry, Bob loved Green Pond, NJ. His parents had a summer home on Old Lane that they eventually retired to. After their deaths, Bob moved into the home and continued his lifelong love of the lake and his boat. Spending time with his family skiing, tubing, and fishing or just cruising to the cove were his favorite activities.

A proud father of 4 children with his first wife, Carolyn Greydanus, Robert is survived by Kevin, Judith, Stewart, and Janelle. He was an active dad from the beginning changing diapers and tucking them in to bed.  Having a home office allowed Bob to adjust his schedule to attend school events, basketball games, track meets and musical performances. He spent years visiting their grade schools to teach children about dental hygiene. Bob loved to travel with his kids from state parks to the Jersey Shore and even an epic RV trip through the American southwest. He loved bringing them to Devils games and Springsteen concerts and watching movies. One of Bob’s favorite movies, The Bird Cage, he would frequently quote, “Well, one does want a hint of color” when questioned about his clothing choices.

Bob was known as Pake or Grandpa to his grandkids. He loved to give them giant hugs and constantly would say how proud he was of them. He made sure there was always appropriate-sized life vests for them for rides in the boat. “Pake Bob” played games with them, from the Wii to board games - even Pretty, Pretty Princess where he would gleefully don earrings and a crown. Pake would ask them about their interests and listen as they relayed endless information about Star Wars, Pokemon, American Girl dolls or dance. His legacy lives on through Isabella, Ella, Evan, Madeleine, Christopher, Emma, Olivia, and Vivian.

Being an uncle, was very special to Bob. Whether it was traveling to Ohio or hosting family in Wayne or at Green Pond, he cherished the time spent with his sister, Nancy, her 4 children and grandchildren. After Nancy passed away in 1993, he continued to offer support and encouragement to his nieces and nephews. He was proud of all they accomplished and looked forward to their visits and hearing them affectionately call him, Uncle Bob.

Bob met his beloved wife, Gaby, later in life. They married in 2008 and blended their families with barbecues at the lake. He was proud to add Liz and Richard as step-children and Zachary, Austin, and Amanda as grandchildren. Bob and Gaby loved to support their grandchildren together by attending baseball games, dance competitions, marching band events, and Taylor Swift concerts. Even though he grew up a Yankee fan, Gaby’s love of the Mets had Bob traveling to Queens for games at Citi Field and wearing more blue and orange than pinstripes. Sports were frequently on in their home as they both loved the NY Giants and the NJ Devils. Bob and Gaby also loved spending time in Ocean City, NJ where they enjoyed reading on the beach and walking on the boardwalk. Mostly they loved being in OC and creating memories with their children and grandchildren. They took turns caring for each other through medical issues until Gaby’s untimely death from ALS in 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, 310 South Street, 4th Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960, in memory of Robert A. Hengeveld.