Golden Hawks Most Loyal Fan

Robert D. North, 93, died September 30, 2011 just as he wished at his beloved home in River Edge with his daughters at his side.

Born in Pascagoula, Miss., 'Bob' was raised in Manhattan, NY, where he met his future wife, Janet Gifford. After graduating from Lafayette College with an engineering degree, he enlisted in the Army and served in The Philippines and Okinawa during World War II. He later earned an M.A. and Ph.D in psychology at Columbia University and became a professor at The University of Kentucky.

Bob went on to work for The Educational Records Bureau and The Psychological Corporation, where he developed tests that plagued students-and aided educators--for more than 40 years. He finished up his professional career with a five-year stint in the U.S. Office of Education.

A Phi Delta Kappa, he was a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Personnel and Guidance Association. Bob co-authored two books on guidance counseling in the 1960’s and was asked to contribute academic a rticles on educational evaluation and measurement throughout his career. He shared his professional expertise with The Boys Club of New York for many years, helping young men of limited means find their way into suitable colleges. 

A River Edge resident since 1955, Bob served as a Boy Scout leader and on the local school board. His children attended River Dell Regional High School and he remained the football team’s most loyal fan. A boating enthusiast, he canoed the Hudson River as a young man and later on, kept an outboard at Culver Lake, where he had to fight his children for time on the water.

Predeceased by his wife of 42 years and his cherished son, Douglas, Bob is survived by his daughters, Margaret North-Jones and her husband, Bruce Carvell; Bernadette North and her husband, Rene Reist; and daughter-in-law, Christine Ramsey and her husband, Andy Fussner. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Allison, Jeremy, Emily, Bronwyn, Ian, and Cassidy.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation for the Debra Simon Wellness Center, 360 Essex Street, Suite 301, Hackensack, NJ 07601.