Robert J. Twitchell, Former Planning Board Chairman, Dies at 90

Robert James Twitchell, 90, a lifelong Haddonfield resident, died on May 2.

Bob Twitchell gently drew his last breath of life surrounded by the love, tears and laughter of his family. He lived his life the way he hiked his beloved New Hampshire mountains, at a pace that enabled him to fully enjoy the journey.

Born at home on February 7, 1923, Bob was a lifelong resident of Haddonfield. After graduating from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1940, he studied at Maryville College in Tennessee before serving in the Army during World War II. Following the war he attended Lafayette College and graduated in 1950 with a degree in engineering.

Bob joined his father in the waste management equipment business and later passed on his company, R. J. Twitchell & Co., to his son. On February 24, 1951, he married the love of his life, Jan(nee Divers). During their 62 years together they raised four children, shared a love of the outdoors, music and travel, and supported their community through service in numerous local organizations.

Bob was a former chairman of the Haddonfield Planning Board, an officer with Interfaith Caregivers, a member of the ambulance association, and had been involved with the Haddonfield Rotary Club for many years. He also served as a vestryman, warden, and chairman of the building and the finance committees at Grace Church in Haddonfield. In recognition of his civic involvement Bob received the Haddonfield Citizen of the Year Award in 1981 and the HMHS Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

Bob was a voracious reader of biographies, commentaries and essays, and was never at a loss for words no matter the subject, or the ages or political persuasions of those participating in the discourse. He is fondly remembered for his ability to make anyone and everyone feel welcome and respected.

In addition to his wife Jan, Bob is survived by their four children, Becky Roller (Paul), Philadelphia, Suzanne Hutter (John), Hopewell, Jamey Herdelin (Jeff), Louisville, KY and Jim Twitchell (Patty), Haddonfield. He was a special presence in the lives of his and Jan’s grandchildren; Elizabeth and Peter Roller, Louise Hutter, Nils, Kendall and Christian Herdelin, David and Tom Twitchell, and the late Andy Twitchell.

Bob’s family will receive friends between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield. 

A celebration of his life, followed by a reception, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 17 at the First Presbyterian Church, 20 Kings Highway East in Haddonfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Twitchell’s name to Interfaith Caregivers, P.O. Box 186, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, or to the Squam Lakes Association, P.O. Box 204, Holderness, NH 03245.