Robert Joseph Love

Robert Joseph Love, age 93, of Toms River, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Robert was born in Philadelphia PA on September 5, 1928, to John and Elizabeth Love, and was the younger brother of John and Betty. Robert's dad passed away when he was an infant, his mom remarried Wilbur Beecroft in 1935, and he became an older brother to his sister Margaret. He attended Frankford High School in Philadelphia, and served in the Army in Germany from January 1951 to December 1953. He mentioned on occasion that spending cold winter nights in a hole in Germany soured him from ever going camping. In 1954 Robert married Marilyn Usher, and they began their family in Northeast Philadelphia, where their two children Thomas and JoAnn were born. In 1963, Robert took a position as a software analyst with the Toms River Chemical Company, and he moved his family to Toms River, NJ. Not satisfied with his position there, he continued his career at Ocean County College in Toms River, eventually becoming a well respected Professor of Computer Science. He had a flair for contriving classwork problems involving obscure baseball players, notably Mookie Wilson of the NY Mets. He enjoyed being a professor so much that he continued teaching until he was 83, and even then, retired begrudgingly. Robert enjoyed many things in life, especially his love-hate relationship with his favorite major league baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. He spoke often about how he survived the heartbreak of the 1964 Phillies season (true Phillies fans know all about this one). For most of his life, attending at least one Phillies game at the stadium was a summer ritual that he always looked forward to immensely. He also embraced horse racing, particularly the trotters. Many warm summer Saturday afternoons were spent at Freehold Raceway, desperately urging on the harness horses with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed when he shared the race day with his good friends Dan and Bob Lane. Robert was also an avid coach of several Little League baseball and Biddy basketball teams, and made sure that each of his devoted charges got to play in every game. Robert was always musically inclined, he learned to play violin as a child, and as an adult, took keyboard lessons for many years. He excelled at playing by ear, and many jam sessions were played with his novice guitarist son Tom struggling to keep up with his dad on the organ, and wife Marilyn adding vocal support. Robert had several pets throughout his life, but one stood out. She was a Border Collie named Clementine. She became Bob's faithful companion for many years. When Clementine passed, it left a hole in Roberts life that never really healed. In his later years Robert looked forward to visits from his son's dog Douglas, who quickly learned that Robert was an easy mark for a tasty biscuit or two. Robert is preceded in death by his parents John and Elizabeth Love, and his step father Wilbur Beecroft; siblings John Love and Betty Petre; numerous aunts, uncles, brother-in-laws, and cousins, his longtime friend and co-worker Floyd Mullner, and his precious dog Clementine. Robert is survived by his wife Marilyn, their two children, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: JoAnn Pitre and husband Eddy Pitre (Daniel McGann); Thomas Love and wife Debbe Love (David Love and wife Amanda Love and daughters Mercedes, Alexis and Lorelei, and son Brennan); Adrianna Love Balog and husband Bradley Balog (daughter Cosette and son Atreyu); his sister Margaret Campbell, and devoted friend Joyce Christopher. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 11:00 am until the funeral service at 1:00 pm at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Robert's name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; or to the Popcorn Park Zoo, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ, 08731.