Robert J. Latsch, 83, of Belford, passed away Oct. 4, 2022. Robert was born April 17, 1939, on Staten Island, a son of the late Mary and Robert J. Latsch Sr. He was raised in Westfield and lived in Elizabeth before settling in Belford 49 years ago.
Bob was a communicant of Saint Catherine’s Church in Middletown. He was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary every day. Bob worked for General Dynamics where he built submarines for several years. He later started a career at Rahway Prison where he started as a guard, but then worked with the inmates and retired as a culinary instructor.
Bob could often be found walking his dogs around the neighborhood daily. He loved animals, especially his cats and dogs. He enjoyed spending quiet time at home reading or running errands with his wife, Carol. Bob proudly wore his veteran’s hat wherever he went. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran and served in the Reserves for 25 years.
Bob was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Carolee Latsch, in 2020. He is survived by their daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Emil Merhige. He also leaves behind his sister Mary Carrea, along with three grandchildren, Carleigh, Maree and Emil Jr., and three great-grandchildren, Kali, Mila and Zoey.
Friends and relatives paid their respects Oct. 11 at Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 12 at Saint Catherine RC Church, Middletown. The burial and committal followed at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle New Jersey Veteran’s Cemetery.
The article originally appeared in the October 13 – 19, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
