Richard Randall Voorhees

On Monday, our community lost a champion, my mother lost her life-partner and my brother and I lost the gentle hand that guided us. My most excellent father, Richard R. “Dick” Voorhees, 96, of Montvale, NJ, passed away in his home on August 3, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost seven decades, Durelle, along with his daughter, Jill (Mark Corrigan) and son Randall and his wife Kathleen, and three grandchildren: Nicholas, Gabrielle and Darius, and one great-granddaughter, Meilani.

Born in 1930 in Lambertville, NJ, Dick graduated from Drexel University, earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He served as the President of TKE and remained close to his fraternity brothers throughout his life. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict.

Dick and Durelle met at Armstrong World Industries in Manhattan, where he was a regional salesman and she was a secretary. They married after a whirlwind romance in 1958. Dick and Durelle returned to NJ, settling in Montvale in 1972, after a brief relocation to Syracuse, NY for seven years.

Dick dedicated his life to the Borough of Montvale, serving on the Borough Council for over two decades, coaching sports, and organizing community events for the Montvale Senior Community Center, Montvale Free Public Library, and the Montvale Historic Preservation Commission.

Dick was also a driver for former New Jersey General Assembly member Charlotte Vandervalk and serving as a Sergeant at Arms for the Assembly. He served as a lector for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Pearl River, NY. He kept a bountiful vegetable and flower garden. He picked berries in the summertime, only once relinquishing rights to the best blackberry bush in the forest to a bear.

In the summer, Dick and Durelle enjoyed their vacation home on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos, spending time with friends and family. A founding member of the Homeowners’ Association, he served as President three times as well as Dock Supervisor, Vice President and overall protector of the peace for the residents there, because what else are you going to do on vacation? He was a multi-gallon blood donor. Above all, he was a devoted husband, an amazing dad, generous grandpa and dedicated community member.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, NJ on Saturday, August 8th from 12PM to 2PM with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Montvale Free Public Library.