Robert T. Dudley, 91, of Fair Haven, passed away peacefully Dec. 3. He was born Feb. 2, 1927 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
Robert served in World War II in the United States Navy and, after his honorable discharge, served six years in the Navy Reserves. He graduated from King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in history and education, and from Rutgers University with a master’s degree in education and counseling. He was employed as a teacher at The Rumson Country Day School from 1952 through 1957, and as a teacher, counselor and director of student personnel services at Red Bank High School from 1957 through 1973. He completed his 34-year career as a counselor in the Hazlet Township School District, retiring in 1986. He also served as an instructor of psychology in the evening division at Newark College of Engineering.
Robert was a trained baritone and performed for over 50 years with many local groups, including the choirs of St. James Church in Red Bank and Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven, where he also served as a cantor for 35 years. He also sang with the Appollo Club, Monmouth Conservatory of Music Opera Society, Two Rivers Opera, the Peninsula Opera Company of Red Bank, and the Shrewsbury Choral.
He was a member of the American Legion, Amvets, Monmouth County Mental Health Association and the Fair Haven Library Board. He was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Fraternity, as well as the national, the New Jersey-Monmouth County, the Red Bank and the Hazlet education associations. He was also a member and the first president of the Monmouth County Guidance Association.
He was a member of the Church of the Nativity for over 60 years. He was a past president of the Holy Name Society, past grand knight of the Red Bank Council Knights of Columbus, a member of the Bishop McFaul 4th Degree Assembly, and a charter member of the Red Bank Sierra Club.
He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years Charlotte Kuhar Dudley; his parents William and Kathleen Jones Dudley; his brother William L. Dudley; his sister-in-law Jean Doran Dudley; his brother-in-law John J. Kuhar; and his nephew William R. Dudley.
He is survived by his sister-in-law Susan A. Kuhar; five nieces and nephews: Deborah A. Dudley, Mary Susan Frake, Suzanne R. Verzilli, Robert J. Kuhar and John M. Kuhar; as well as 12 great-nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at The Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven Dec. 7. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were under the care of John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be appreciated.
Please visit Robert’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
