Robert J. Kilpatrick, known to many as “Bob K.”, 76, fell asleep in death on March 21, 2026, at his home with his family by his side.
Born in the “old” Point Pleasant Hospital on May 2, 1949, Bob went on to live a full life that began on Oak Street in Lakehurst, New Jersey. He graduated from Central Regional High School, Class of 1967, and attended Ocean County College in Toms River, New Jersey, graduating in 1970. In June 1969, Bob began a summer job working for the Dover Sewerage Authority at the Ortley Treatment Plant and subsequently turned into a full-time employee until 1972.
Beginning in November 1972, Bob worked as Resident Engineer at Fellows, Read & Associates and successor companies, Killam Associates and Hatch Mott MacDonald, until deciding to retire from Mott MacDonald in 2016. He remained with the company as an In-House Consultant until November 2022.
Throughout all those years, his careful attention to detail and organizational skills aided him in managing multi-million dollar bridge and highway improvement projects, including Ocean County College Infrastructure Improvements, Reconstruction of West Bay Avenue, Fischer Boulevard, East County Line Road, and portions of County Routes 527, 528, 530 and 571, amongst others.
Bob was someone who valued relationships, and that was reflected in the good rapport he developed with those whom he worked with, earning the respect of County officials and contractors and harboring a reputation for completing any project efficiently, on time and within budget.
Bob met his wife, Virginia, at the Dover Sewerage Authority where they both worked. They were married on August 30, 1975, reaching a milestone of 50 years together. When it came to his wife and three children, Bob was truly selfless, he always took such good care of his family. In Fall of 1977, Bob served as a helper to his father, a carpenter, as they together built the house that would become his family’s home, a home in which he took pride in maintaining and beautifying, with flowers, an annual garden, and many bird feeders.
Bob began to study the Bible, dedicated his life, and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 20, 1973, at a District Convention held at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During those 52 years, Bob did all he could for Jehovah God, remaining faithful and serving Him whole-souled, always giving Him the first and the best.
Bob K. worked hard and was diligent in every aspect of his life. He utilized his valuable engineering skills not only secularly, but to volunteer in the construction and maintenance of the Turnersville Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and many Kingdom Halls throughout New Jersey, including the one he attended in Toms River.
He always kept busy and made good use of his time. The time that he did have was rarely ever spent on himself, but rather, on serving others. Bob was self-sacrificing, so often delaying his own needs to attend to matters and get any job done.
A humble man, often times whose ‘left hand did not know what his right hand was doing’, he never searched for accolades or recognition. Bob displayed a willing attitude and was always there to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, judgement free or offer sound advice, without ever expecting anything in return.
His gentle smile and warm demeanor made anyone feel at ease and secure. His positive spirit was reflected in reassuring words and friendly visits. Bob was reasonable, level-headed, never hasty and exercised such restraint with his words. He was reliable, trustworthy, and always seemed to know what to do in any situation or who to call.
It is difficult to encapsulate the life of Bob Kilpatrick in only a few words. He touched countless lives in many different ways, but his modesty would never let on. “Bob K.” was truly one of a kind.
Bob was predeceased by his mother and father, Anne and Irving Kilpatrick of Whiting and his brothers, Douglas Kilpatrick of Bridgeton and Ronald Kilpatrick of Whiting. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Kilpatrick (née Parry) of Manchester Township, son, Robert S. Kilpatrick, daughter, Susan Dorofy and son-in-law, Darryl, daughter, Sherry Kilpatrick, and nieces and nephews, great nieces, and nephews.
Services will be held privately by the family, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Chatsworth, New Jersey. A public memorial talk will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 3:00pm at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 300 Sovereign Way, Blackwood, NJ, 08012.
The first day I met Bob I could see the kindness and his gentle smile and the warmness he had for people, including myself I was going through some tough times at that time and I think he caught one and he was always there for me. I stayed in touch with Bob for years and he was every morning. We would communicate through a scripture. I will miss him dearly. I loved him. Rest in peace Bob.
I’m heartbroken to hear of Bob’s passing. It’s hard to put into words what knowing him for over 30 years has meant to me. He had an impact on my life and I will always be grateful for the time we shared.
His obituary captured so many of the wonderful things about him, but for those of us who really knew him, we understand it only begins to tell the story. I will miss his warmth, his quiet way of showing he cared, and the way his deep knowledge was always there when you needed it—never showy, just part of who he was.
I feel lucky to have known him, and I will carry his memory with me always.