Robert V Patrick, lifelong resident of Salem, New Jersey died peacefully Tuesday evening, April 30, 2002, at Memorial Hospital of Salem County. He would have been 86 years old on Sunday. Many people called him Robert, many called him Bob, and many more called him Pat: Whatever the name, he was an icon of business and civic leadership in the community. Robert started in the automobile business at the age of sixteen, working at Vanneman and Patrick, founded in 1914, with his father and grandfather and later with his brother Norman, now deceased. In 1961 he became the sole owner and changed the business to Patrick Chevrolet:
Robert was involved in countless community activities from serving as Supervisor of the Civil befense Observation Post in Salem in the early 1950’s, on the board of the YMCA in the late 1950’s, and leading a fund raising effort to build a Salem Community swimming pool in the early 1970’s. After retiring in 1976 he continued his community involvement and was president of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce for thirteen years. He was dedicated to the Broadway United Methodist Church and served in numerous capacities over the years. Wherever there was a problem or a need in Salem, Robert was there to help. He was named "Outstanding Citizen of the year" in 1988: Robert and Virginia traveled to nearly every continent of the world with friends and family.
