Final Salute

Robert Verhasselt

A Proud Navy Seabee, Command Master Chief (retired), Robert “Bob” Verhasselt, age 92, of Wayne, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born in Paterson and lived in Wayne since 1978. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church in Wayne. He was predeceased by is parents Gus and Marie Verhasselt and his two sisters Germaine Zwier and Margaret Dinardo.

Bob was a proud military veteran serving more than 35 years of total service to his country in both the Army and Navy. The last 30 years of his military career were spent with the Navy Seabees from which he retired as a Command Master Chief in 1988. His life was spent using the principles of his military career to succeed as he did. Bob had the privilege of serving with the Army Advisory Group in Shanghai China, the last military group to leave Shanghai in 1949, during the Communist takeover. His last Army assignment was with the 78th A.A.A. Gun Battalion during the Korean War in ’51 and ’52. Bob was equally proud to attend the meetings and reunions around the country each year with all his “grey-haired” buddies he served with during the years.

Bob was a self-employed automobile mechanic and business owner in the transmission field. After retiring, he was employed as a bus driver for the Wayne Board of Education for many years.

Bob was a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, the Korean War Veterans Taejon Chapter 170, The Veterans of Foreign War Post #7165 Clifton, The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, The C.B. Veterans of America and his name is enshrined at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the B.P.O.E. #60 Elmwood Park-Paterson.

Bob was an avid race car owner and fan for many years. He owned cars that raced at most of the tracks in PA, NJ, and NY. He was a longtime member of the Atlantic Coast Old Timers.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth “Bettie” (married 1951); two sons: Robert and his wife Diane, and Craig and his wife Patti; four grandchildren: Bryan and his wife Sue Ann, Danielle and her husband R.J., James and his wife Karen, and Eric and his wife Christine; and nine great-grandchildren: Taylor, Kayla, Joey, Gianna, Emma, Michael, Gabby, Owen, and Joel.

Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 from 4-8 PM.

Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, 1799 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson.

Donations in Bob’s honor may be made to your favorite charity.