Robert E. Polhamus
April 19, 1925 ~ June 19, 2015 (age 90) 90 Years OldRobert E. (Bob/Po) Polhamus, formerly of Edison, NJ died on June 19th 2015 in St. Lucie, Florida. He was 90.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard (Dick) & Marie Polhamus, Bob was raised in Queens, New York before moving to Elizabeth then Woodbridge, New Jersey. He joined the US Navy in 1942 during World War II at age 17 and flew combat missions with a Naval SBD squadron in the South Pacific. He then enlisted in the New Jersey State Police and graduated from the Police Academy as a member of the 41st Class. He served in various state barracks in ‘Troop C’ and ‘Troop E’ and was the Station Commander of the Keyport and Colts Neck Barracks. He served as a Sergeant up to his retirement. Upon retirement he was the Security Administrator of Rahway Hospital in Rahway, New Jersey. He was a member of the Former New Jersey Troopers Association and the VFW Post #6061 in Colonia, New Jersey.
Along with his parents, Bob is also predeceased by his brothers, Theodore (Ted) Polhamus, former Chief of Police in Rahway; and Thomas (Tommy) Polhamus, former detective with the Woodbridge Township Police Department.
He is survived his loving wife of 69 years, Edith (Cindy) Polhamus (nee: Westerlund). He was an amazing father to two daughters, Debbie Amabile and her husband Pat of Monroe Township, NJ and Sandy Davis and her husband Tom of Valdosta, GA; and to two sons, Gary Polhamus and his wife Renee of Garland, TX and Keith Polhamus and his wife Ronda of Ashburn, VA. He was the most incredible ‘Pop-Pop’ to his 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Beatrice Frazier of Fort Pierce, FL; and two brothers, Donald Polhamus and his wife Charlotte of Sewaren, NJ and Ralph Polhamus and his wife Pat of Ocala, FL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26th from 5-9 PM at the GOSSELIN FUNERAL HOME, 660 New Dover Road, Edison, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, June 27th at the Vanderhoven Chapel in Hazel Wood Cemetery, 64 Lake Avenue, Colonia, NJ with interment to follow.
Condolences can be offered to the family at www.gosselinfuneralhome.com.