Robert M. Helmstetter

Robert M. Helmstetter of Clinton Twp., New Jersey, age 89 passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, in the presence of his family at home. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in both Irvington and Maplewood, New Jersey, he was predeceased by his devoted parents Charles James and Ruth (nee Miner) Helmstetter, brothers Carl J. and Guy K. Helmstetter, parents-in-law Frederick and Lucy Vidi, and brother-in-law William West.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Deborah, and his seven children: Michael Helmstetter (Lynn), Philip Helmstetter (Monica), Lucy DeJames, Nicole Helmstetter, Brandon Helmstetter (partner Jenna McAleer), Charles Helmstetter (Heather), Noelle Helmstetter, and his eight amazing grandchildren: Dylan, Nolan, Lukas, Sophia, Siri, Evan, Cora, and Otto.

Also left to honor Bob are his brother-in-law Eugene Vidi (Kathleen), his sisters-in-law Marie Taylor, Theresa West, Janet Arminio (Alphonse), as well as many nieces and nephews.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard for nine years during the Korean War era from 1953-1962 as a Specialist SP-3 Corporal in New Jersey (50th Armored Division) and New Hampshire (941st Field Artillery Battalion), receiving a weaponsExpert Badge with Rifle Bar. As a salvage and recovery specialist, he often spoke of cold weather training at Fort Drum, NY and repairing and test-driving tanks, heavy wreckers, and personnel carriers.

His strength, tenacity, gratitude, perseverance, and determination gave him a remarkable perspective during his life’s journey. His spirituality and grit was evident in the way he lived his life with passion while finding happiness in the simplest of things. Always curious, Robert engaged himself in a perpetual state learning and growing. He was inspiring to those lucky enough to learn from him, and always took the initiative to help anyone who needed assistance. You could always depend on him no matter the circumstances. He had problem solving abilities, mechanical ingenuity, and an unmatched work ethic.

He had a myriad of passions and a proficiency in everything he set out to accomplish. Bob loved fast cars and had an eclectic taste in music, classical being his favorite genre. He could wax poetic about gardening and planting flowers and ornamental trees, and truly loved his time living in the gorge with his family and his puppies Jasmine, Lucky, and Luna. Having an affinity for nature, his home was truly his very own version of Walden Pond.

Robert was a wealth of information regarding his profession as a builder, appraiser, and construction consultant. He attended college at St. Anselm’s in Manchester, NH, and later acquired additional certifications at Columbia University to further his career and start his own consulting and appraisal company.  Some of Robert M. Helmstetter and Co. – Builders and Appraisers most notable projects and collaborations included the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob (a.k.a. the Hagan House), the French Embassy in NYC, and countless cutting edge custom homes.

A career spanning more than 60 years, his expertise, knowledge base, and estimating and appraisal acumen was widely acknowledged in the industry.  He was sought by major insurance carriers. He was an expert witness in the courtroom. He could estimate and build anything, and will be fondly remembered scrutinizing blueprints into the early hours of the morning.

Robert Miner Joseph Helmstetter, loved by everyone, was a remarkable man who will always be in our hearts.

Viewing will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at  8-10:30am At Scarponi Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833.  Funeral Mass will take place following at 11:00am at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 59 Main Street, High Bridge, NJ 08829. Entombment will immediately follow the Mass at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ 08801.

Memorials can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charity at www.rmhc.org 

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