Erwin Martin Taper, age 91, died July 2, 2022, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was born March 13, 1931 in Watertown, New York. At the age of 2, Erwin and his mother moved back to Romania shortly after his father passed away. While in Romania, Erwin grew up on a farm which developed his love for animals. He returned to the United States when he was 14.
At the age of 18 Erwin was drafted into the United States Army for three years. Since his parents were from Austria-Hungary, Erwin’s mother taught him to speak and write German fluently. During his years of service, he was sent to Germany to translate German papers to English, he learned about radio and radar repair at a school in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and he obtained his amateur radio license.
He was sent to Korea at the beginning of the Korean War where he operated a radio station and repaired radars. After serving for three months in Korea, he was sent to Kadeena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, to set up a radar station. While stationed at Kadeena and Nahha Navy Air Base, Erwin learned how to fly some of the airplanes that were being used for transporting equipment and supplies.
He returned to the United States in 1952, completing his service to the United States Army. He then went on to work at Fort Hancock. This is where he met the love of his life Joyce Johnson.
When Erwin was transferred to Syracuse, New York, Joyce made the decision to head north as well. On June 6, 1953, Erwin and Joyce were married on television and featured in TV Guide as the “Ideal Couple.” After they married, they moved back to Port Monmouth, and then eventually settled permanently in Belford. Erwin went on to work at Fort Monmouth as an electronics and mechanical engineer for 33 years. While in the army, he had earned master’s degrees in both fields. Throughout his career, Erwin had 12 patents. He eventually retired in 1995.
Over the years, Erwin shared his love for flying, German culture, his American patriotism, his worldly travel, and his love for animals with his family. His family fondly remembers many summers boating and water skiing on the Navesink River in Erwin’s boat. After obtaining his pilot’s license and buying his plane, he was always eager to take family and friends up for a ride in the sky. He even helped his grandson Justin obtain his own pilot’s license.
Erwin was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His love and sense of humor are cherished by his daughter Linda Vacca-D’Amico and son-in-law Anthony D’Amico; his daughter Diane Clonts and son-in-law Michael Clonts; his seven grandchildren, Christopher Vacca and his wife Heather Vacca, Justin Vacca and his wife Kate Vacca, Jennifer Werchinski and her husband Andrew Werchinski, Melissa Murray, Catherine D’Amico, Andrew Clonts, and Matthew Clonts; his four great-grandchildren, Juliet Vacca, Anora Vacca, Evelyn Vacca, and Chase Clonts; and many of his nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved cats Blackie, Whitey and Kitty.
Erwin was preceded in death by his wife Joyce; his parents, Martin and Freida Taper; his brother John Taper; and his sister Erna Pierce. Erwin will be remembered as a valuable member of the King of Kings Lutheran Church community in Middletown.
Visitation was held July 5 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home in Middletown. Funeral services were held July 6 at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Middletown.
Erwin’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Riverview Medical Center for their hospitality and care for Erwin. They would also like to express their deepest appreciation for Janette Durka, Erwin’s caretaker in his final days.
The article originally appeared in the July 7 – 13, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
