Obituary of Robert W Warnock

Robert William Warnock was born in 1947, Brooklyn NY, to first generation Irish parents, William and Elizabeth (Coyle) Warnock. He and his siblings attended public schools in Brooklyn and New York City until moving to HoHoKus NJ. An avid athlete and baseball player, Bob graduated from Ridgewood High School and went on to earn a BS in History at Mt St Mary's (College) University in Emmitsburg, MD. While continuing to compete in multiple sports there, Bob excelled in baseball, earning MVP and later being inducted into the College’s Sports Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, his dream of becoming a professional baseball player ended when he received his draft notice upon graduation. Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps, completed Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned a 2nd Lieut. It was while at Quantico that he met Pat Houston, his wife of nearly 42 years. After completing training, Bob shipped to Da Nang, the Republic of Vietnam. In country, Bob served first as convoy control officer, and later at 1st Marine Div Hdqrs Fire Support Coordination Center, calling in medivacs and airstrikes for convoys under attack. Following his in-country service, Bob rotated to the 2nd Marine Div at Camp Lejeune, where he was happy to have charge of the battalion guard and special service sport teams. He was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After Vietnam, Bob returned to school, taking advantage of the GI Bill, and earned a Masters in Education from Springfield College, MA. He would go on to a successful and rewarding 34-year career teaching and coaching. In 1979, Bob and Pat bought their home in Wyckoff. For the next 37 years they would raise two beautiful daughters, Kelly and Jennifer, three dogs, cats and 'sundry' strays, enjoying all Wyckoff had to offer. In the late 1980s, Bob and Pat built a mountain home in the Catskills, where the family enjoyed skiing, golf, and other activities for years to come. When Bob's health became a concern, he retired after 20 years with Jersey City Public schools. Bob became known for his wood splitting, keeping not only his stoves supplied, but those of many others, as well. Bob is survived by wife, Pat, daughters Kelly and Jenny, sons-in-law, Armand Grez and Josh Reed, and grandchildren, Penelope, Vera, and Conrad Grez, and Bodhi and Porter Reed.