Robert J. Plavier

Robert “Rob” J. Plavier, age 56, of Wayne passed peacefully on Sunday, August 15, 2021 in the comfort of his home.

Rob was born in Newark and raised in Wayne by his parents the late Joan and Robert Plavier.  He graduated from Wayne Valley High School, where he played on the football team, with the Class of 1983.  During his high school years he worked at the Wayne Hardware Store in the Packanack Shopping Center. Rob had a thirst for the knowledge of not only how things worked, but why they worked, as well as how to fix them when they didn’t work. After high school Rob attended school at Engine City in Union where he trained to be a diesel mechanic. He worked as a diesel mechanic locally and soon moved to New Milford, PA and later, Montrose, PA for many years.  While living in Pennsylvania he was the Service Manager for Five Star Equipment in Kirkwood, NY. Before recently moving back to Wayne Rob worked for the Proctor & Gamble Corporations paper facilities in Tunkhannock, PA throughout the pandemic as a mechanic for their fleet of trucks. He also served on the Pennsylvania Game Commission for several years.

Rob will be remembered for his good nature, strong will, and his willingness and ability to analyze both sides of an argument. When presented with a situation Rob would genuinely listen and then present a competing narrative to help him and others understand the counterpoint of a situation and achieve a fair outcome acceptable to both sides.  He was lovable, caring, generous, kind, patient, and persistent.  For many years he vacationed at his parent’s home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Swimming, wilderness, and building forts with his friend David were just some of the joys he found there.  Rob could fix anything with thoughtful consideration.  He took great pride in his ability to repair things properly, the first time.  For many years he quietly helped care for his housebound neighbor Jean, a widow.  He was her go-to guy for just about anything.  Rob enjoyed gardening and had five acres where his dog Xena patrolled and protected their park like property.  He was also an accomplished artist who created beautiful landscapes, portraits and still lifes.  Rob had a love of history and was an expert on the Industrial Revolution. Specifically, he was well versed on the impact of US railroads and their role in westward expansion.  His expertise extended to a thorough and complete knowledge of locomotive mechanics and design.  His attention to detail found him writing letters to editors to correct information incorrectly printed regarding train lines. It was important to him that history be preserved accurately.  Rob often visited Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton where a 40 acre rail yard houses one of our country’s largest collection of steam locomotives, freight and passenger cars.

Rob was the loving father of Miranda Luce and her husband Jason of Hallstead, PA; beloved grandfather of Joana Luce; devoted loving companion of Joli Behr of Vernon; much loved brother of Suzanne Amabile and her husband Scott of Wayne; and cherished uncle of Hanna Amabile. He was predeceased by his mother, Joan (DeBlock) in 2004, and by his father, Robert W. in 2020.

Memorial donations to Steamtown, a National Park associated with trains that Rob loved to visit, would be greatly appreciated.  Please make checks payable to "National Park Service" and place in your check memo "Steamtown/Robert Plavier."  Please mail to: Steamtown, 150 South Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.