Avid Outdoorsman Who Served In Navy Restored Historic Home

Dr. Robert F. Brill, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, peacefully passed away on Oct 23, 2021, surrounded by his family.

Born on March 10, 1939 in Utica, NY, he grew up the second of four children. His formative years were spent in Owego, NY, where he became an Eagle Scout, played football in both high school and college, and graduated from Colgate University in three and a half years.

Dr. Brill attended Hahnemann University Medical College, where he met his loving wife of 58 years, Lynne Sellers, who was a student nurse. They married and upon graduation from medical school he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant JG and subsequently did his internship at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Great lakes, IL.

After submarine school in New London, CT they were transferred to Charleston, SC where he served as the medical officer aboard the submarine USS Daniel Webster, earning his honorary dolphins, and became a father to three of his four daughters.

After several tours of duty, he retired as Lt Commander and returned to Philadelphia to pursue an orthopedic surgery residency at Temple University Hospital.

Post residency, he began a private practice that grew into the group practice of Smolenski, Brill, Hayken and Schwartz P.A. located in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Dr. Brill was on staff and primarily practiced at Burlington County Memorial Hospital for the next 30 years where he enjoyed his patients, co-workers and often shared the many funny stories of his four daughters while in the operating room.

Those who knew Dr. Brill found him to be quiet and warm, with a witty, dry humor that ignited belly laughs from anyone within earshot. He was kind, compassionate and always rooted for the underdog.

A man of great integrity, he had a deep conviction for always doing the right thing…even when it wasn’t popular or easy. He was a beacon for anyone looking for sound advice that was always delivered in fairness and objectivity. In short, Dr. Brill was the embodiment of a true gentleman.

He and Lynne shared a love of old homes, and together they restored two historic homes in Avalon and Moorestown, where Dr. Brill spent many hours in his wood shop in the barn. He loved working on projects with his children and grandchildren and was the keeper of the honey-do list. He cultivated seasons of vegetables and perennial gardens.

The fondness he had for his garden became a feast for the eyes and the senses… always in bloom. The splendor of his hard work became the beautiful backdrop for all four garden weddings of their daughters.

An avid outdoorsman, they spent summers in Avalon, NJ, where he and Lynne loved playing tennis, and he enjoyed many mornings fishing, sailing, and rafting with his children and grandchildren.

Retiring in 2005, he spent most of his later years playing tennis or working in his yard. While he and Lynne also traveled abroad extensively, his favorite hot spots remained the porch in Avalon or the patio of their Moorestown home with the company of his dog, and always surrounded by the most important people in his life, his wife, his children, and grandchildren.

Dr. Robert Frederick Brill is survived by his loving wife, Lynne S. Brill, (nee Sellers), daughters Karen, Kristin (Ben Stammen), Kelley and Kendra (Michael Madison), and grandchildren, Benjamin, Gabriel, Emma, Grace, Abigail and Isabella, and his beloved dog, Zoey. He was predeceased by his brother Gerow (Elaine) and is survived by his brother Bruce (Jennifer), and sister Carolyn Gambrel (David).

Friends are invited to celebrate his life on December 16, 2021, at the Moorestown Community House 16 E. Main Street, starting at 5 p.m. Family and friends sharing memories of Dr. Brill will start approximately 7:30. Memorial donations in Robert’s name would be greatly appreciated. Information on where the donations may be sent will be posted shortly on Givnish.com

To share your fondest memory of Dr. Brill, visit Givnish.com.