Obituary of Robert Andrew Kierst

Robert Andrew Kierst, 62, passed away at his home in Basking Ridge on Nov. 2, 2012. Born in Carbon County, PA, and raised in Sayreville, NJ, Robert was a graduate of the Sayreville Memorial High School class of 1968. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies as a pitcher and played in the minor leagues. Robert continued his education at Rutgers University, earning a B.A. in Spanish in 1972 and a Masters Degree in Marketing from Pace University in 1983. Robert and his wife of 40 years, Joyce (Dugan) resided in Scotch Plains and for the past 25 years, Basking Ridge. He was employed with BF Goodrich International for 12 years; he was president of U.S. subsidiary of British company, Electrothermal Inc., for 13 years.Robert was also certified as a Spanish educator in the New Jersey State public school system for 7 years. Robert's love of baseball continued as an umpire with the New Jersey State Baseball Umpires Association & he was a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. Robert is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Laura Beth and husband Kevin Cieslukowski and son Michael Robert Kierst. He is also survived by his granddaughter Joelle Grace. A memorial service will be held at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ on Nov. 18 promptly at 2:00PM. A family gathering to receive friends will follow the service from 3-4PM at the Funeral Home. There will be no flowers accepted. In lieu of flowers Robert's family ask that you consider making a contribution in his name to the Calvary Assembly Church Missions (to be distributed between Christian missionaries in Argentina and an orphanage in India - please put Robert Kierst Memorial in the memo c/o Kierst address). Condolences can also be made on the funeral home's web site, gcfuneralhome.com. For further information please contact the funeral home (908) 766-0250.