Robert “Bob” Doerr passed peacefully at home July 15, 2026, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer and related illnesses. He was 84 years old.
Bob was born and raised in Elizabeth, where he undoubtedly caused mischief wherever he went. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he joined the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany and quickly rose to the rank of sergeant. Following an honorable discharge, he returned to New Jersey and became a carpenter with the local union in Elizabeth.
In 1966, Bob married Patricia “Pat” Reynolds and they started a family. In 1973, the Doerrs relocated to Middletown and planted lifelong roots in “Sunken City,” where they lived for more than 50 years. They found a close-knit group of friends in Sunken City who quickly became like family. Together, they raised their children, watched them leave the nest, marry and start families of their own. They celebrated life’s milestones, supported one another through times of loss, and embraced every opportunity to spend time together.
Also in 1973, Bob landed a job at Merck & Co. in Rahway, where he would work until his retirement. He loved “Mother Merck” and made many close friends during his long tenure there. He worked every hour of overtime that he could to provide for his family, but (with a wink at the foreman), he always managed to make it to all his children’s important school and sports events.
It’s neither a cliché nor an understatement to say that Bob’s personality was larger than life. To meet him was to instantly love him. To him, having fun was an art form – and he was an excellent artist. He was always happy to see friends old and brand new, and his laugh was truly infectious. His high school friends still talk of the great times they had with him. His friends from Stephenville Boulevard became brothers and sisters.
His friends at Merck dubbed him “Mr. Food,” a nickname that will stick with him forever. His unbridled love of food was known to all and, despite scouring online restaurant menus days in advance, in the moment he would still ask the server for five more minutes and insist on ordering last because he couldn’t decide. In line with his love of fun, food was always accompanied by a nice cocktail, preferably a Grey Goose “martuni” with blue cheese olives (because it would immediately tune him up).
Secondary to his obsession with food was Bob’s love of his family. He was a great husband and the best father. He would do anything to help his three kids and he loved all their friends as well. When you walked into the house on Stephenville, Bob’s happiness to see you was palpable and you immediately knew that you were welcome and loved. One of his favorite things to do was cook breakfast for whoever showed up on Sunday mornings following a big night out.
Bob loved living and vacationing at the Jersey Shore, and it was one of the few places where he truly relaxed. He loved getting up early in the morning down in Ocean Beach, Lavalette and LBI and taking his nephews, nieces, kids and their friends crabbing. Lunch on those days was a giant pot of cooked crabs and an ice-cold beer when it was “12 o’clock somewhere.”
Bob will be truly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He is predeceased by his wife, Patricia; his parents, Walter and Dorothy Doerr; and his sister, Anna Mae Bartek and her husband, John. He is survived by his daughter Sharon Sullivan, her husband Brian and beloved grandson, Evan Sullivan; his daughter Sheila Doerr and her husband Larry Oxley; his son Michael Doerr; and too many beloved nieces and nephews to name.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. July 23 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. July 24 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Red Bank.
Bob was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Kiwanis Club of Holmdel at k06092.site.kiwanis.org/donate.
The article originally appeared in the July 23 – 29, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
