In Memory of

Robert

Harry

Stuhler

Obituary for Robert Harry Stuhler

Robert Harry Stuhler, 92, passed away peacefully in his home on August 21st. He moved to Bay Head with his family in the 1960’s and stayed in the area, loving life by the sea. For most of his professional career Robert owned and managed a dealership in street and infrastructure maintenance equipment, with his late wife Patricia. Acting as principal sales rep, Bob established life-long relationships with many municipal and county personnel throughout New Jersey.

He was born to the late Charles and Florence Stuhler on October 19, 1920 in Elizabeth. Bob moved with his family to Westfield in the sixth grade. He attended Lafayette College, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, and was captain of the varsity tennis team. Upon graduation in 1942, he married Patricia Cumming and enlisted in the US Navy. Bob served as First Lieutenant and commander of a PT boat during World War II. Initially posted to England, he participated in the Normandy Invasion and later served in the Pacific.

Following the war, Bob settled in Westfield, began a family with Pat, and attended law school at Rutgers University. Passing the bar before graduation, Bob served as a corporate lawyer at Curtis Wright prior to his partnership with the Westfield law firm, Nichols, Thompson & Peek. In 1960 Bob took over the management of his father-in-law's equipment dealership combining his natural talent in sales with his legal expertise. In 1982 he sold the company to W.E. Timmerman Co. and continued as an independent sales rep until 2004, at which point he retired to focus on his passion for music and tennis.

Bob was an accomplished jazz pianist. In 1934 at age 14, he began playing piano with his band during summers at Asbury Park's grand hotels. Also during this time, he frequented clubs in New York City following jazz greats Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Bunny Berigan. As an adult, he had a trio in Westfield and later loved playing for friends and family in Bay Head. He was an avid tennis player throughout his life continuing to play singles until a few years ago. As a member of the Westfield Tennis Club and Bay Head Yacht Club he spent many hours on the courts transferring his love of the game to his children.

Bob was a member of the Bay Head Chapel serving as a board member and Deacon for over 30 years. He was also a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Point Pleasant.

Mr. Stuhler was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years Patricia Cumming Stuhler. Surviving are his son Robert Cumming Stuhler and his wife Debra of Hopewell; daughters Anne Yardley Stuhler of New York City and Patricia S. Crawford and her husband Stuart of Lakewood, CO; brother Hugh Brewer Stuhler of Brick; sister Ada Recknagel of Bath, ME; four grandchildren Eliza, Dylan, Dana, and Samuel; and great-granddaughter Lucia.

Known as PopPop by his grandchildren, he was much beloved by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on September 28th, 2013 at the Bay Head Chapel at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:The Patricia Cumming Stuhler Scholarship
Lafayette College 307 Markel Hall Easton, PA 18042