Robert H. Korman, 81, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 4, 2021.
Robert Korman, a 3rd generation Hobokenite, was born at St. Mary Hospital on October 20, 1939 to parents Albert Korman and Ruth Korman Kehoe.
Bob Korman is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years Barbara Klempau Korman; a son, Michael Korman, his wife Clara and their children Harrison and Nova; daughter, Irene Korman Sobolov, her husband Ivan and their sons Sam, Nick and Joe; daughter, Susan Korman Repetti, her husband Richard and their daughter Casey Repetti, her fiancé Steven Crespo and their son Steven Crespo.
Bob Korman studied at Our Lady of Grace Grammar School, Holy Family High School and Seton Hall University. He was a member of the OLG Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Bob Korman began working at the Hoboken Shipyards during his high school years while enrolled in ROTC, thereafter receiving a Congressional Nomination to the United States Air Force Academy, and attaining the rank of Lance Corporal with the US Marine Corps Reserve and an Honorable Discharge in the early 1960’s. He then had a 37-year career in management at the Newark Star Ledger newspaper retiring in 2000.
Bob Korman, also known as “Bebop” by family and friends, is fondly remembered for his love of Hoboken and his support of his hometown even through times when some thought Hoboken was finished and many left town. He bought a family home on 12th and Bloomfield in 1967, where 50 years of memories began, including Hoboken’s longest and still running annual Gate Sale (since 1976, perhaps coining the term), and where many friends and neighbors still enjoy the Annual 12th and Bloomfield Street Block Party.
Bob Korman’s main goal was to see residents of Hoboken enjoy their waterfront and have a place to go to in the heat of August. For many years he hosted meetings to support and plan the annual River City Fair with Don Cotter and many others. The River City Fair became a much anticipated annual event in Hoboken, attracting residents to a waterfront that had been used mainly for industry and shipping in the past. That spurred interest in general to open the entire Hoboken waterfront to a greater public use.
Bob Korman’s lifelong hope was that Hoboken would flourish and become better with each passing day. He always predicted that Hoboken would be even more successful and he worked with many others to make that happen. In later years, he saw Hoboken’s success and that meant the world to him.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps in recognition of their 50 years of service to the residents of Hoboken. Memorial visitation Tuesday, May 11th 3-7 PM at the Failla-McKnight Memorial Home, 533 Willow Avenue, Hoboken.