Robert Cushing Cumming, age 76 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.

Born in Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, on March 14, 1947, he was raised in Jersey City, graduating from Marist High School in 1965. Bob lived most of his life in Rockaway, NJ, prior to moving to the Hunterdon Creekside development in Raritan Township in 2019.

Earning a BS in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Jersey City, NJ, Bob found himself graduating right in the middle of the Vietnam War. With his engineering skills, he was recruited to work at Picatinny Arsenal as a mechanical engineer making munitions for tanks as well as other projectiles. He would serve at Picatinny for more than thirty years and was well-regarded by his colleagues for his wit and vast knowledge on almost every topic.

In 1981, Bob would meet Ms. Michelle Maynard at the local “Cheers” in Rockaway; after a few dates it was clear to both that they were destined to be together and they would join hands in holy matrimony on June 30, 1984, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Michelle credits their longevity to a mutual respect of one another and good communication across the board. Though not having children of their own, and with Bob being an only child, Michelle’s family quickly became Bob’s family, and their nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews were treated like the couple’s own children.

With an eidetic memory, Bob loved to read and usually would be found with a book in his hands. He especially loved history and enjoyed sci-fi and fantasy books and television. Trivia was one of his specialties, and you did not want to challenge him on any trivia relating to television or history! Jeopardy was like church, never to be missed. Bob would usually win most episodes with a higher amount than the actual winner of the night, something he would remain humble about with family and friends.

Sailing was also in Bob’s blood, and his times on the water were some of the best times in his life. His love of sailing also translated into another hobby, which was building model boats, some of which took years to make due to the extreme detail and precision in crafting them. He also had an affinity for model trains and greatly enjoyed sharing this passion with his nieces and nephews.

Bob would want all those reading this to not be saddened over his passing, but rather to cherish the memories made with him, and to make many more memories with those who love you. He would want those memories to be made while sailing or playing Jeopardy together of course, and above all else, he would want each of you to, “Live long, and prosper!”

In addition to his loving and cherished wife Michelle Cumming, Bob is surviving by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Susan Maynard; his sister-in-law and her longtime partner, Jody Nash and Carole Benjamin; his nieces, nephews and their spouses, Melissa and Hunter Speake, Joseph and Megan Maynard, Thomas and Stacey Nash, and Mark Nash; his great nieces and great nephews, Mark Nash, Ashton Speake, Madelyn Speake, Raegan Maynard, Emma Maynard, and Joey Maynard; several extended family members; and many friends.

Family and friends will gather on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 10:00 -11:30 a.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Life celebration services officiated by Certified Life Celebrant D.J. Wright will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home and to which all are welcome.

Interment will be private.

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

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

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