Robert Pringle

Robert Howard Pringle, a resident of Wayne for over 60 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2020.

Born in Newark, Bob’s family moved to Wayne in 1950.  Bob was blessed to fulfill so many of his dreams.   After graduation from Seton Hall University, Bob’s first love was radio.  He fulfilled his dream directly after graduation by working for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in New York City as a broadcaster broadcasting some of the biggest acts of the late Big Band era.  Unfortunately, for Bob, television was in its ascendency in the 50’s causing him to seek a career change.  Bob was always interested in law enforcement and was hired by the Wayne Police Department in the mid 1950’s.  Bob progressed through the ranks, ultimately ending a 30 year career as Chief of Police in 1986. Bob’s love for his town led to his volunteering with the Wayne Fire Department, Community Fire Company of Mountain View and Pompton Falls Company #3, volunteering for 15 years.  Upon retirement from the police department, Bob took over as full time director of security for the then Wayne General Hospital where he worked for another 10 years before retiring in 1996.  Those who knew Bob were well aware of his intense devotion to Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne.  Bob was a member of the second Deacanate class becoming a Permanent Deacon in 1976 and serving the parish of Our Lady of Consolation faithfully for over 30 years.  In his capacity as deacon, Bob performed hundreds of baptisms and presided at scores of weddings including the marriage ceremony of his son Robert, and baptism of two of his grandchildren, Robbie and Marie.

While a member of the volunteer fire department, he was at a Civil Defense Committee meeting where he met his future bride, Evelyn (nee Karross).  As the story goes, it was at the end of the meeting which Bob attended and he kept an eye on the “nice looking” young secretary who was taking the meeting minute notes. Bob knew he had to find some excuse to speak to Evelyn. Little did either of them realize at that moment that one day her name would be his name. That day came on September 22, 1957, when Evelyn and Bob exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends at the St. Mary’s in Pompton Lakes.

After the wedding, they moved into the home in which they would raise a family and reside in for almost 60 years on Garvey Road in Wayne. Bob worked as many hours as he could and was able to purchase a home in Barnegat Township, enjoying summer weekends at the shore.  Later, the house in Barnegat was traded for a condo in Bonita Springs, Florida were they were able to give winter a miss for over a dozen years. Nothing made them happier than when their sons and grandchildren would come visit. Bob simply adored his grandchildren always fondly recalling that, when they were little, they’d be so excited about coming over Grandmother and Grandad’s house for a “sleep-oh-va.”  

Bob’s beloved wife Evelyn predeceased him in June of 2018. Beloved father of Robert C. and wife Elizabeth Pringle, and beloved grandfather of their children Robbie and Marie;  and father to Scott and wife Robin Pringle and grandfather to their children Aaron, Heather, and Evan; dear brother-in-law of the late Charles Karross; dear uncle of Jack and wife Mary Ellen Joynson of Spotsylvania, VA, and Diane and husband Richard Thompson of Lake Ariel, PA.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Bob’s name are asked to consider Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne or The New Jersey Fireman’s Home in Boonton, NJ.