Final Salute

Robert Nelson Stutz, 95, of Hamilton, NJ passed away December 13th at home. Robert, more commonly known as Pop-Pop, Bob or Uncle Bob, instantly captured the affection of all who met him. He loved good food, idolized Winston Churchill and John Roebling and enjoyed seeing the world. Known for his love of bow ties, music, singing and whistling as well as enjoying life with his family and Masonic brothers as its core. Bob grew up in Port Jervis, New York with his mother Rae Louise, Frederick and older brother Frederick. Bob served his country during WW2 as a Navy Seabee; at age 19 he was stationed in Iwo Jima and then in Japan for a year, experiences which left a deep impact on him. After the war Bob attended Rider College. His career started in Information Systems, initially at John A. Roebling and then with the State of New Jersey during which time he met a lovely woman. Bob courted and then married Winifred (Fish) Kelsey and loved and cared for her and her two children for the rest of his life. His final work position was Vice-President and Chief Information Officer with Mercer Medical Center (currently known as Capital Health Regional Hospital). After retirement, Bob spent more time with his family and became even more active in all his Masonic affiliations following in the steps of his father who was a free mason and his brother who served as Senior Grand Warden of the State of New York. Bob served as Worshipful Master of Mercer Lodge 50 in ’93 and as Secretary to the Grand Master in ’96 as well as serving in many Masonic lodges as Chaplain or Chaplain Emeritus. He was also a 32 member of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. He traveled the state of New Jersey in various support responsibilities especially enjoying “giving the charge” to new Masons. Following the death of his wife, Bob committed his time and money supporting many charitable causes, deepening many long-term friendships and constantly developing new ones. Bob is survived by a loving family that will miss so many things about him; his love, sense of humor, willingness to connect people (if you were his friend, he wanted everyone to be your friend as well), natty attire, bow ties, and his gracious, gentlemanly manner. Many will miss him; his Masonic brothers as well as his family: daughter Joyce McLaine; son Clarence Kelsey; granddaughters’ Laurie (McLaine) Hill and husband Charles, Jennifer McLaine Schiffrin and husband Marc, Pamela McLaine Fuehrer and husband Craig, grandsons James McLaine Jr and wife Sandra, Jason Kelsey and wife Carrie, Darren Kelsey and wife Jenna. His extended legacy includes an abundance of great grandchildren; Cara Quinn Wilson and husband Sean, Stephanie Hill whose tragic death in 2020 revealed to all how shared love helps heal, Rebecca Hill, Hannah Fuehrer, Cole Fuehrer, Annika Fuehrer, Olivia McLaine, James (Jay) McLaine III, Jackson, Clara, Lincoln and Colin Kelsey along with four great-great grandchildren Rogan, Cohen, Brecklyn and Osmin Wilson. Bob is also survived by his brother’s daughter, Nory Stutz Lowell, PhD, godson Michael Mulcahy and many other cherished nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews around the country, all of which Uncle Bob stayed connected with and deeply cared about their life involvement and happiness. Bob lived a life filled with service, the love and care of family and friends, all guided by a belief in a higher power. Services will be held Thursday, December 23 at the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, NJ. A viewing for Bob will be held from 10 am until 12 pm with Masonic Services beginning at noon. Religious services will be held graveside at Ewing Church Cemetery in Ewing Township, NJ. Peppler Funeral Home 122 Crosswicks Street Bordentown, NJ 08505 (609) 298-1333