Robert Edward Baldanzi

Robert was born on January 11, 1943, in East Paterson, NJ later renamed to Elmwood Park, NJ. He attended the Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ, and in 1965 went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. He was a proud member of both the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and the university swim team.

Some of Robert’s main passions were swimming, golf, and early American history.

Robert was a life guard for many years during his youth at Spring Lake, NJ. He was proud to be a member of the championship team that won the annual NJ Shore Life Guard Tournament in 1962.

Robert enjoyed golf and was a member of Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ from 1967 through 2010. Robert won many golf tournaments and other awards across the years. Some of his most notable achievements at the Upper Montclair Country Club include being an ABC C Flight Winner in both 1993 & 1996, winning the Vice President’s Trophy in 2000, winning the 1999 Golf Committee Award, 2001 Azalea Tournament, & 2001 Presidents Trophy with his partner Gary Foerster, and his 2007 Hole In One.

Robert also enjoyed studying history, with his main focus being on the American Revolutionary War and Civil War eras. He was an avid reader and took pride in collecting and curating his personal library of books written by authors from the Civil War era.

In 1965, Robert joined the family business, Aetna Chemical Company, based on Wallace Street Extension in Elmwood Park NJ. His professional career included decades of sales roles and leadership at Aetna Chemical Company where he ultimately served as President. In 1990 he founded Path Silicone Company, also based in Elmwood Park, NJ. He was also an early investor in the use of computers for business activities. Aetna Chemical Company partnered with local computer scientists and software developers to create programs for activities such as managing inventory and material data safety sheets with a focus on the specific requirements of process manufacturing and chemical distributors. They eventually upgraded to use the IBM AS 400. The software efforts began in 1981 and became the separate company DataCor, Inc, based in Florham Park, NJ.

Robert was married twice during his life, first to Margaret Claire O’Connell of Stamford, Connecticut and then to Claire Vargo of Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

Robert married Margaret Claire O’Connell in Stamford, Connecticut on February 5, 1966. They lived in Saddle Brook, Towaco, and Pine Brook, NJ. They were married for more than 30 years and raised 4 children together during that time. Robert consistently supported education and extracurricular activities for his children. Following their divorce, Robert married Claire Vargo in 1999. Robert and Claire lived in Kinnelon, NJ and were married for more than 20 years until her death.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Antonio “Ted” Baldanzi; his mother, Lena Baldanzi; his sister, Linda Baldanzi; his first wife, Margaret "Penny" O'Connell; and his second wife, Claire Baldanzi.

He is survived by his brother, Ted A. Baldanzi and his family. Robert is also survived by his four children and their families: Christine Baldanzi Schoaff of Apex, North Carolina & her husband Peter Schoaff; Stephanie Baldanzi of Arlington, Virginia and John Owens; Brenda Baldanzi Wilson of Charlotte, North Carolina & her husband Brock Wilson; and Todd Baldanzi of Keller, Texas & his wife Lee Ann Baldanzi.

Robert is additionally survived by his 8 grandchildren: Christine’s children Alyssa & Patrick Schoaff; Stephanie’s children Jacob, Destiny, & Min Joo Muskovitz; and Brenda’s children Brayson, Brevin, & Brielle Wilson.