Robert Harold Atkinson, age 89, passed from this life into Heaven on Friday, September 11, 2020, at home surrounded by his family. He is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 69 years, Verna (Raymond) Atkinson; two daughters, Denise Atkinson and Dezra Richmond and son-in-law Curt Richmond; granddaughter Tae Richmond-Moll and grandson-in-law Jeff Richmond-Moll; great-grandson Beck Richmond-Moll and great-granddaughter Willa Richmond-Moll; a sister Donna Hieshima; two brothers, Richard Atkinson (Bonnie) and Charlie Atkinson (Sharon) and sister-in-law Carolyn Tice; and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Mt. Holly, NJ, on July 14, 1931, and raised in Vincentown, he served in the United States Army in Korea, where he found his faith in Jesus. He worked in construction for more than half a century and pursued higher education in related fields at Rutgers (New Brunswick) and Rider College. His career – including as Project Manager for Marriott Corporation and the New York State Thruway – allowed him to travel throughout the United States, from Maine to Hawaii, and many endeavors in between.
Bob and Verna built their house in Lumberton together and lived there for 55 years until they moved to Princeton in 2012. Throughout their marriage they enjoyed serving in their local church as long-standing members of Shawnee Baptist and most recently Stone Hill Church of Princeton.
His spirit of generosity made him quick to help and support others. Bob was a gentle, humble man, a true “Barnabas”, a son of encouragement and comfort. He greeted everyone he met with the most genuine smile and would almost daily say, “Thank you Lord for everything”.
Always the adventurer, he rode motorcycles most of his life, only parting with his Gold Wing bike when he was 80 years old. He picked up downhill skiing in his forties and learned to fly a plane in his seventies.
He was loved dearly by his family and friends and will be missed tremendously.
His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
A service honoring his life will take place at Stone Hill Church of Princeton, after the lifting of COVID restrictions. There will be a private ceremony at Princeton Cemetery on Friday, September 18, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to America’s Keswick (https://americaskeswick.org/support/) and/or Princeton Medical Center Hospice Care (https://www.princetonhcs.org/care-services/princeton-homecare/what-we-do/hospice-program).
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.