Robert De Luca

Robert “Bob” De Luca, 77, of Ridgefield, NJ, passed away on November 6, 2022 at his home. An Air Force veteran and good friend to many, Bob was born on March 25, 1945 to Lucy De Luca and Mario De Luca in Queens, NY. 

Part of the first graduating class from Ridgefield Memorial High School (Class of 1962), Bob went on to study history at Rutgers University before enlisting in the Air Force, serving for 26 years with deployment during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. He rose through the ranks to Lt. Colonel, receiving numerous awards including a Humanitarian Service Medal and two Bronze Stars. Bob also earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from Ball State University in 1976. 

Following his Air Force career, Bob worked for a variety of companies including Northrop Grumman, PAE Inc, and Vinnell Corporation before retiring in 2019. In his retirement, Bob read historical fiction and non-fiction (biographies were a favorite), travelled extensively both domestically and abroad, and spent quality time with friends and family. Bob loved to host gatherings at his house, especially BBQs, and was always willing to lend a hand with resumes, taxes, and life advice.

Bob is survived by his fiancée, partner in all travel adventures, and love of nearly 20 years Conchita Stein. He is also survived by his daughter Kristin De Luca; step-daughter Victoria Stein; sister Stephanie Schmidt and brother-in-law Richard Schmidt; niece and goddaughter Catherine Schmidt and her partner Matthew Wojciechowski; Uncle Victor De Luca, his wife Janice De Luca, and family; and his Schmidt cousins who were like brothers. Finally, Bob is survived by the Agudelo family who welcomed him with open arms into their everyday lives both in the U.S. and in Colombia and who he loved as brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Bob will also be remembered by friends around the world.

Services will be held at Saint Matthew Church in Ridgefield on Saturday, November 12 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or to Doctors Without Borders, two organizations Bob supported.

Wounded Warrior Project - https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ 

Doctors Without Borders - https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/

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