Obituary of Robert Thornton

THORNTON, Robert L. age 83, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, April, 22, 2013. He was born in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, and he and his family moved to Franklin Lakes in 1968. He was a Korean War veteran having served in the United States Navy. Bob was an executive with IBM for 32 years prior to his retirement in 1987. He was a member of Arcola Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, and a former member of the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. He also volunteered at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey for many years. Bob was an avid golfer and fisherman, and excelled at tennis and platform tennis. Surviving is his loving wife, Gayle (nee Hixson) of Franklin Lakes, his devoted children; Robert L. Thornton, Jr. of San Francisco, and Gay Doherty and her husband Bob, of Chatham, New Jersey. Bob also leaves his three adoring grandsons; Taylor, Tucker and Jackson Doherty. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Coleman of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his aunt, Martha Chism, of Birmingham, Alabama. He was predeceased by his sister, Bettye Stage. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the The United Presbyterian Church, 730 Old Franklin Lakes Road, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Cremation will be private. The family will receive friends on Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. Memorial contributions in Robert's memory may be made to the American Stroke Association (www.strokeassociation.com).