Robert Ochs Obituary

Robert F. Ochs

Robert F. Ochs passed away at home with his family at his side on February 19th. Bob was 96 and resided in Wilmington, N.C.

Bob was born and raised in Highland Park, NJ. The son of John and Olga, and older brother to Paul and Janet. After Pearl Harbor, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations for 30 consecutive months during WWII. During the course of the Island Hopping campaign across the Central Pacific, Bob conducted four amphibious combat landings onto enemy beaches (Roi, Namur, Saipan and Okinawa). Bob's rifle platoon consisted of 13 young Marines. Eight were killed in action. Of the 5 that survived WWII, Bob was the last man standing.

After the war, at age 22, Bob returned to Rutgers University to complete his Freshman academic year. He earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. Bob was the starting tackle on the '46-'48 Rutgers football teams. These teammates became his life-long friends.

Bob later returned to Rutgers for a 30-year career. During this time, Bob and his wife, Dottie, raised their family in Cranbury, N.J. Bob concluded his service to Rutgers as a Vice President of the University.

Bob then moved to Wilmington, where he enjoyed an active retirement.

Bob is survived by his sons, Lee, Larry and John, grand-daughters Jenny and Kim, four great-grandchildren, and his wife, Alice.

The family will conduct a private memorial service.

Bob Ochs. Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Victory in the Pacific. Semper Fi.

Published by Home News Tribune from Feb. 21 to Feb. 22, 2020.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Ochs

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Remembering a really fine man....

Rita Molnar

February 14, 2022

We were so sad to read this news. Uncle Ochsy was a part of our lives as far back as I can remember. He was my dad’s oldest friend and I miss the three soldiers (Ochsy, Oak & Snap) sharing their cigar time and reminiscing during our beach time. I have so many great memories and wish we could have been there to pay our respects to a great man. I will miss him.

Kim Pandick

Friend

October 11, 2020

The Ochs lived next door when we first moved to Cranbury in 1960. Being a kid himself, Bob was a delightful neighbor to us children, always ready for tag or to toss a football. My sister, eight years old, once knocked on their door and asked if Bob could come out and play. His yard work was lax, crabgrass everywhere...he figured, if it's green, let it grow. Except the hedges, which he savagely attacked with his clippers, reducing them to twiggy skeletons. After dinner, he took his evening constitutional, strolling through the neighborhood, puffing contentedly on his cigar.

These many years later, he stayed in touch, sending his favorite jokes to my parents by email, and he was quick to send condolences when my father, a fellow Rutgers Alumnus, died in November last year.

Love to his family, especially my old neighbors, the boys: Lee (the best babysitter), Larry ("Moonshine"), and John (the most intense little boy ever).

-Mike

Michael Gilbert

Friend

August 29, 2020

I just heard about Bob’s death this week and many memories came to me . He and my father , John Frisch , spent many years at RU together where we would see him almost every home football game on the field sidelines making sure all was going smoothly . Our family and the Ochs family got together often in Cranbury where we all lived . He made us laugh and was a large presence in the neighborhood and town , a kind and caring man . He continued to correspond with my father and after his passing , he sent my mother kind notes over the last many years . Our love and thoughts go out to everyone in the family .

Pam Frisch Szabo

Friend

August 29, 2020

My dad, Herm Hering, was one of those lucky Rutgers football teammates with whom Bob shared a lifelong friendship, and I consider myself privileged beyond words to have also been able to call him a friend. He was a man of tremendous honor, wonderful wit, and underneath that gruff exterior, had a beautiful sense of grace and graciousness. I remember him dancing (well, perhaps it was more akin to bumper cars with the way he took over the dance floor) at my wedding, and I remember the wonderful notes he sent to me over the years after he moved down to NC. After the last one, in January, I gave him a call and we had a chance to chat, and I was able to tell him just how much he had meant to me in my life. I now thank God that I had that opportunity. Rest in peace, Bob Ochs, the world shall not know your like again.

Bob Hering

March 23, 2020

I met Bob when I was a student at Rutgers in the 1967-71. I was active in student activities and had the opportunity to work with Bob on several projects. While I was a student and he was a hi level administrator, he treated me like an equal. We had many long conversation and I learned at great deal from Bob on duty, integrity, friendship, dealing with people and steadfastness. While I never spoke to Bob after leaving Rutgers, I thought of him very now and then. Just a few years ago was talking with an RU exec who told Bob was still alive, a leader of the Marine Aux, and still the same irascible guy I knew. He played a role in helping me develop my leadership and integrity skills. I am sure their are many others who can say the same. He has left his mark on both his alma mater and many many of those who had the fortune to know and work with him.

Ed Danielski

March 6, 2020

Bob was a very special friend for over 30 years. Although we just recently touched base after moving from Porters Neck in the 90's, we have many special memories and shared those memories in the past few months. I will cherish the 30 years of birthday cards Bob
sent me always with a special "dry" invocation. Our thoughts are with all his family.

Bobbi Crawford

February 28, 2020

So today I learn of Bobs passing. I hardly knew bob, had only met him a few times as he is a distant relative married to my fathers (Dr. David Crispin) sister. I discover he was a driving force on the Rutgers University Police today. In 1975 I became a law enforcement officer in the Chicago area. While serving I went to work with a recruit Trainee, Clarence ... who came from the Rutgers University Police! He was an outstanding, brave, and even heroic officer who was always cool and steady even under the most adverse conditions. Once he was attacked by a prison escapee. Clarence had to fight to save his life as the man was a martial arts and prison fighting killer. Clarence was being beaten to death and said he had a last burst of strength, got control of his revolver and fired off all 6 rounds knowing if he didn't he would be killed. This stunned the attacker and Clarence pulled himself up and overcame the attack by using his weapon as a club! I found Clarence. He wouldn't go to the hospital. Later we took the prisoner to court. He was all wrapped in head bandages due to his injuries. The judge aske why the prisoner was so beat up. Clarence replies cuz I ran out of bullets. Later Clarence told me it was that inner strength that he had learned and the empty your gun when your going down thing while training with some tough guys on Rutgers university Police. So sometimes people have an odd connection with others and my good friend may have survived because of the influences of my relative, Bob Ochs! I'm sure he's nodding his head in Heaven! God bless him and his family and all of those he touched! And if Clarence hadn't lived I may have been ambushed and killed by the attacker! So my family and my children all thank him as well for giving them a father!

David W Crispin
Commander, Retired
Palm Bay Florida Police Dept

David W Crispin

February 24, 2020

On behalf of the New Hanover County Law Enforcement Association we recognize the heroism of Robert F. Ochs to the United States of America while serving in the Marine Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theater. We hope to never forget the sacrifice of his fellow Marines during those operations.
NHCLEOA acknowledges Roberts dedication to Rutgers University for protection of Rutgers students in developing the Security Program into a fully functional Police Force. As a law enforcement organization, we respect that Robert never forgot the men and women that served on Rutgers University Police Department even while administering as a Vice President of Rutgers University.
Our prayers go out to Alice, Lee, Larry, John, Jenny, Kim and the great-grandchildren.
Sincerely humbled,
The Members of New Hanover County Law Enforcement Officers Association
Chaplain Mel Smith
America without her Soldiers would be like God without His angels. Claudia Pemberton

Chaplain Mel Smith

February 22, 2020

As we journey through life, we all have memories of friends, times, and places. Bob is certainly someone who enhanced my life. Bob provided wonderful and endearing memories of friendship, courage, and commitment to me and to everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

His strength of character often attributed to his Marine indoctrination was spot-on. His Marine attitude was both something to be admired and imitated. His service to the Corps continued on with his many years of leadership and hard work in the Cape Fear Detachment #1070, Marine Corps League.

Our thoughts and prayers for the Ochs family.

John and Yvonne Babb

February 21, 2020

John Babb

February 21, 2020

As the pages turned throughout the growth of the University Police Department, much was understandably forgotten about the early days of an organization which began as a simple guard/security unit. I watched over the years as Mr. Ochs devoted so much of his effort to creating a Police Force equal to the needs of Rutgers University. I watched as he worked with State agencies to recognize the men in the force as bonafide Police Officers, with powers of arrest, and (despite many resisting Rutgers Officials) with the right to carry weapons on campus. It was a difficult time. I watched as University Presidents admired his work, and turned to him for strong leadership during the 1970's when campus disruptions were commonplace. I watched as female police officers were added to the force under his management. I watched as he continued to provide for the Police Department in his role as Assistant Vice President at the University. Bob Ochs was an exceptional man who expected a great deal from the people he led, who expected a great deal from himself, and who truly loved Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. RIP Bob Ochs... Warm condolences to his loving family.

Rita Molnar

February 21, 2020

Mr. Ochs gave me the opportunity to have a rewarding career. He created a new organization and guided its development into a professional law enforcement agency. Thank you, Mr. Ochs for your service to our nation as a U.S. Marine and to Rutgers University. Rest In Peace.

Thomas Giordano, Deputy Chief, RUPD (ret.)

Coworker

February 21, 2020

Mr. Ochs was instrumental when I came aboard the RUPD in 1978. As the FOP Union Spokesman, we were sometimes on the different side of things- you bled Scarlet Red and served both Rutgers and your country well. Rest easy sir, in God's eternal embrace and may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May your soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of Christ, rest in peace. Amen. +

"On the banks of the old Raritan, where Rutgers ever more shall stand. For has she not stood since the day of the flood, on the banks of the old Raritan."

Fr. Bryan Wolf, OSF (Sgt. RUPD, retired)

February 21, 2020

Even an iron man like Bob can't live forever. It was a privilege to know him as a neighbor and friend on Bald Eagle. He'll be missed.
Paul and Barbara Rehder

February 20, 2020

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