The Family of Robert L. Reiher, Korean War Veteran and the Longest Serving Mayor of West Caldwell, has Announced His Passing

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 2:09am

Credit: Reiher Family

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - The family of the Honorable Robert L. Reiher has announced that, after a short illness, he passed away on Thursday at the age of 83, surrounded by family at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, NY. The former West Caldwell Mayor was recently residing in both Ocean Beach, NJ, and Bonita Springs, FL. His family and friends are deeply saddened by their loss and the community will mourn his absence. 

"Bob Reiher was a friend and great Mayor.
He truly exemplified what a small close knit suburban community
mayor should be like: a great family man, caring, passionate,
always advocating on behalf of the community, a good ambassador and someone who always stands for what is right
and who makes decisions based on the facts presented.
West Caldwell has lost a great leader and friend and we will all miss him."
~ West Caldwell Mayor Joseph Tempesta, Jr. 

The son of Lawrence and Mae Reiher, Reiher was born in Orange and grew up in Maplewood. During the Korean War he served proudly in the US Navy. Following his service, Reiher met and married the love of his life, Olga Zuk, and together they moved to West Caldwell where they raised their family.

Reiher was an insurance agent with State Farm and started a successful agency in Madison where he prospered for 41 years.

“Mayor Reiher’s dedication and service to the residents of West Caldwell
was exemplary; I am proud to have known him.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
~ West Caldwell Councilman Stephen Wolsky 

Fondly known as "Mr. West Caldwell," Reiher was a public servant for many years. He served the township as Councilman from 1975 to 1981 and then for 17 years as Mayor from 1981 to 1998, making him the longest serving mayor in the township's history to date. 

Reiher also served as President of the NJ League of Municipalities for two terms in 1994 and 1995. The former mayor was also Past Scout Master of West Caldwell's Boy Scouts Troop 9. 

After his retirement, Reiher and his wife stayed active in West Caldwell until 2008 when they then spent time with family and friends at their Jersey Shore and Florida residences. His family shared that he particularly enjoyed the times he spent with his grandsons fishing on his boat, the "Reel Office." 

Reiher also stayed active in Florida and was the current Commander of the Naples Sail and Power Squadron, District 22.

"Bob was both loved and respected by the membership
of the Naples Sail & Power Squadron of which he was our current Commander.  He always gave of himself and will be missed as a colleague and a friend."
~ Past Commander of the Naples Sail and Power Squadron, District 22.
George Dellas, N

Credit: Reiher Family

Roberts's Family

• Robert's Wife of 59 Years
  Olga Zuk Reiher
   
• Robert's Children
  Jim Reiher
  Nancy Cannon
   
• Robert's Grandchildren
  Thomas James "T.J."
  Robert Cannon
  Hunter Reiher
  
  
  
  

He is also survived by dear friends and many grateful residents of West Caldwell.

---

Memorial Arrangements
The arrangements for Robert L. Reiher are as follows:

• Lying in State 
  West Caldwell Library, Reiher Wing
  30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell
  
  • Thursday, Sept. 11
    4pm to 8pm   
  
  
• Mass of Christian Burial 
  Notre Dame Church
  359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell
  
  • Friday, Sept. 12 
    10am 
• Burial   
  Prospect Hill Cemetery
  47 Prospect Street, Caldwell

Message of Condolence  
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. 
Notes of sympathy may be written to the family online here.  

Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations to the township's library would be greatly appreciated. 

• The Friends of the West Caldwell Library 
  30 Clinton Road 
  West Caldwell, NJ 07006 

"I never met a person that cared more about West Caldwell
than Mayor Emeritus Bob Reiher.
Bob exemplified community service and was a role model and mentor
to many of us that followed Bob on the governing body.
Most of all he was a friend to me and my entire family
and he will be sorely missed.
May God bless his wife Olga and the Reiher family.
~ Former West Caldwell Councilman Dominick Aiello

Former Mayor Reiher recently addressed the West Caldwell governing body on Nov. 26, 2013. 

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