Obituary of Robert C. Patterson, Jr.

Robert C. Patterson, Jr., 85, from Wildwood Crest, NJ passed away on Sunday, August 6th, 2023

. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he resided in Wildwood Crest for 55 years. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert C. Patterson, Sr and Margaret V. (Stille).

Mr. Patterson was a 1955 graduate of Frankford High School, 1959 graduate of Rider University, Fraternity member of Kappa Phi, Veteran of the US Army, and retired Executive Director of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, where he served for 37 years. While Executive Director, Bob also served as President of the NJ Assoc. Of Chamber of Commerce, Exec. of the NJ Travel & Resort Assoc., NJ Travel Industry Assoc and numerous other tourism and development councils advocating for Cape May County and the State of NJ.

He was a member of the North Wildwood United Methodist Church, the Wildwood Crest Republican Club, and the Wildwood Elks. He’s a former trustee of the Cape May County Historical Society and Cape Regional Medical Center Foundation board, as well as a WIldwood Crest school board member and a member of the Greater WIldwood Jaycees. After retiring from the Chamber, Mr. Patterson served on the Wildwood Crest Tourism Development Commission and the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement Development Authority (GWTIDA).

Mr. Patterson enjoyed traveling, cruises, classic cars, singing in the church choir, spending time with his family-especially his grandchildren and grand-dogs, swimming, reading, taking care of his garden, doing crossword puzzles, decorating his home and yard for all of the holidays both big and small (his favorite was Christmas) going to the beach and there’s always room for ice cream!

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Suzanne (Updike); son Robert C. Patterson, III (Ruth) of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Kim (Bill) Bolton of Delran, NJ; his sisters, Peggy Bishop and Betsy Tomlinson, both of North Wildwood; his brothers-in-law, William (Susan) Updike of Florence, NJ and Douglas (Cynthia) Updike, of Hamilton, NJ; and his five grandchildren Robert IV (Madison), Emma, Megan, Gabriella, and Jacob.

Viewing and funeral services will be celebrated at North Wildwood United Methodist Church on Monday, August 14, 2023. Friends may call from 9:30-11AM with a service at 11AM. Interment will be at Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery on Seashore Rd in Lower Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church in his honor. Condolences may be sent to ingersollgreenwoodfh.com