Robert Walter “Bob” Biggs, age 78 years, of the Three Bridges section of Readington Township, NJ, died at his home on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Born March 7, 1941 on Main Street in Flemington, NJ, Bob was the son of the late William Harvey Hall and Marion Pauline Hellyer Hall. He was a lifelong area resident.

Growing up on Broad Street in the Borough, Bob was a 1959 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School. He was the Captain of the basketball team his senior year and would often remark that it was his skill—and not his 6’7′ height—that earned him that honor.

Always a fan of driving, usually fast driving, Bob followed his passion for the road and became a commercial truck driver, working for Johanna Foods until the 1970’s before forming his own company, ARB leasing, which he operated until 2007. ARB saw Bob making many trips up and down the east coast. Several years ago he would join the team at Rich Hill Trucking, which allowed him to keep his foot on the pedal until retiring.

Bob was a master of conversation and never met a stranger. An extremely deep thinker who was funny and caring, Bob always strove to do the right thing in all situations.

His children fondly recall growing up in a house of love; there was never any yelling or angst, but rather talking and growing together. Bob led by example and though at times could be strong-willed, was always reasonable.

Family gatherings were important to Bob, and were partly the impetus for putting in a swimming pool for the family at his home in Ringoes, NJ. The next years would be filled with almost every family gathering at that home. These gatherings always had good food, good card games, and of course, lots of laughter.

Bob had a wonderful life—a loving wife, two wonderful children, and many dear friends when in 1991, tragedy would hit when his wife Fay passed away. It was hard for Bob and his thoughtful nature had him wondering much about life and what would come next. Realizing he needed to live life, in 1997 he would eventually work up the nerve to call up someone who had also lost her spouse at a young age. This was also someone whom he had happened to know all his life and had actually dated for a short time when they were juniors in high school.

After a four hour initial phone call, Ethel Hall Everitt agreed to go out to dinner with Bob. The next Saturday, Bob picked Ethel up and took her to Bookbinder’s in Philadelphia. It was during that dinner, where they learned what the other wanted and more importantly what the other did not want, that they realized they were destined to walk the rest of their lives side by side. The would be married at Beaver Brook Country Club on August 2, 2003 and their relationship was marked by mutual maturity, understanding, and love.

The two families would become one and Bob treated everyone as if they were blood, which in his mind, they were. He became very influential in his grandkids lives and helped them as they grew up by listening and setting an example of being a good husband, father, grandfather and friend to all.

He was very involved in the community, especially with the Flemington Elks Lodge #1928, where he served as Exalted Ruler from 1974-1975. He was also a member of Darcy Lodge No. 37, F. & A.M.

Racing was a passion from childhood; from dirt to Nascar to truck to drag racing, Bob loved it all. He had a need for speed, and was most proud of his 1987 Monte Carlo, which he restored and rebuilt four times. He loved to create and tinker, a testament to his thoughtful and deliberate thinking process.

Bob also became an avid reader the past several years, enjoying books of all types, especially ancient history. He loved to ruminate about the ancient Greeks and how civilization developed. He continued to enjoy basketball, playing with local groups for many years. Golf would also become a favorite pastime, and many fun days were spent on the Heron Glen Golf Course.

Athlete Fred Lebow once said, “It doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” Bob ran the race of life with respect and dignity, and his legacy is one of simply loving others as they are. Though he will be missed by all who knew him, this gentle giant will forever inspire others to have hope as they travel down their own life path.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Pamela Fay Biggs in 1964, as well as by his first wife, Fay Tine Biggs in 1991.

Surviving are his loving wife, Ethel Hall Everitt; his children and their partners, Kenneth and Dawn Biggs, Kathleen and Timothy McGivney, Kelly and Jason Kuster, and Melissa and Peter Nemec; a brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Dorothy Biggs; thirteen grandchildren, Bradley, Ryan, Haley, Jordan, Kenny and his fiancé, Erin, Emily, Eric, Shannon, Andrew, Jacob, Abigail, Robert, and Linda; four great grandchildren, Scarlett, Aurora, Lily, and Dylan; two nephews, Bryan and Barrett Biggs; several extended family members; and many, many dear friends made throughout the years.

A celebration of Bob’s life, with Elks services, will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2019, in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Following the Elks and life celebration services at 6:00 p.m., all are invited to continue to share memories at the Flemington Elks Lodge, 165 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Burial in the family plot at Union Cemetery, Boss Road, Ringoes, NJ, will be private.

Please visit Bob’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contribution’s in Bob’s honor may be made to a charity that touched his heart: St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Contributions may be made online by clicking HERE or via mail to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”