Obituary of Robert J. Kowalski

Robert J. “Bob” Kowalski, 89, of Freehold Township, passed away on Sunday November 29, 2020 at Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center, Edison.  He was born in New York City and raised in Paterson, NJ where he became an avid fisherman as a young child.  An expert at tying his own fly fishing flies, he later bragged about cutting school opening day of every trout season.   After earning a degree in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic in Troy, New York, Bob enlisted in the US Navy on December 7, 1951.  He completed an air indoctrination course at Naval Aviation Schools Command, in Pensacola Florida and flew anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the USNS Mindoro.  A veteran of the Korean War, Bob served 17 years with distinction receiving the European Occupation Medal for American Defense and achieving the rank of Lieutenant.  Bob Kowalski would later author numerous articles and books on anti-submarine warfare aircraft as part of the Naval Fighter series.  After his naval service, Bob began a career as a commercial airline pilot with Eastern Airlines where he met his wife, a flight attendant.  The couple honeymooned in Chili, trout fishing, before moving to Freehold.  Captain Bob, as he become known to many passengers flying with him to Disney World, often brought his fishing poles on trips.  He retired Captain of the A300 after 33 years of service with Eastern Airlines.   After retirement, Bob operated the tour boat at the Manasquan Reservoir for 11 years, teaching others about the Park’s ecosystem, including ‘his’ osprey and the various species he caught while fishing there.   A man of honor, Bob was respected by all who knew him and was, above all, a devoted husband and father.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Linda Kowalski, and his parents, Anthony and Nellie Kowalski.  Bob is survived by his children, Kimberly Kowalski and Dr. Marc E. Kowalski, PhD., his grandson, Eddie Kowalski; his brother, Anthony Kowalski, and his wife, Miriam; three nieces and; a nephew.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, December 6, 2020  from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM funeral service at the funeral home on Monday, December 7, 2020. For the safety of the public and our staff, we are asking everyone to help us adhere to the CDC guidelines. Facemasks will be required. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at navalaviationfoundation.org/donate.  For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com