Robert J. DeGroat

Meredith, New Hampshire - Robert “Bob” J. DeGroat, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2023 after a short illness at the age of 96. He was born and raised in the Pellettown section of Frankford Township, Sussex County, New Jersey and was the son of the late Stanley DeGroat, Sr. and Inez Pyle DeGroat. He was married to the late Gloria Van Etten DeGroat for 58 years. Having lived in the Beemerville section of Wantage, NJ for many years, he was a proud member and former chief of the Beemerville Volunteer (Wantage Township) Fire Department. He was a charter member of the Sussex Elks Lodge # 2288. After retiring from 36 years working for Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station, he moved to Wentworth, New Hampshire. There he was an active volunteer member of the Plymouth Regional Senior Center offering many volunteer hours of service including delivering meals on wheels for over 20 years. Bob enjoyed car racing on TV, at New Hampshire Speedway and area small tracks. He had lovely flower gardens and grew vegetables and fruit which he ended up sharing with the bears on occasion. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by his wife, Gloria in 2005; his brother, Stanley DeGroat, Jr.; and his sister, Betty Hough. He is survived by his four children, Alana and her husband Fred Peckham of Le Raysville, PA., Susan and her husband Roger Shelton of Sanbornton, NH, James “Jimmy” DeGroat of Branchville, NJ, and Charles “Chuck” and his wife Crystal DeGroat of Barnegat, NJ; and his sister, Helen Martin. Bob was very proud of his four grandchildren; Douglas and Kevin Peckham, Danielle DeGroat, and Robert T. “Bobby” DeGroat and his three great grandchildren; Sarah, Stephanie, and Leo Peckham. He is also survived by his dear friend, Maxine Fellows and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Monday, February 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ. Interment to follow at Frankford Plains Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to the family one hour prior to the funeral service from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Additionally, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the Meredith Bay Colony Club, 21 Upper Mile Point Road, Meredith, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s name to Plymouth Regional Senior Center, 8 Depot St., Plymouth, NH 03264 or Beemerville Fire Department, 227 County Road 519, Wantage, NJ 07461. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com

Robert J. DeGroat

June 14, 1926 - February 5, 2023