Emmett Park

Bob was born March 20, 1925, in Newark, N.J., the son of the late Alyce McIver Emmett and R. William Emmett. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark in 1943 where he was named the All-State prep school second baseman by the Newark newspapers. In World War II, he served on three submarines in the Atlantic Theatre as a radio man. He could still tap Morse code until his last years. After leaving the Navy, he graduated from Seton Hall College in South Orange, N.J., in 1948.

Lynn and Bob were married on May 22, 1948, in Newark. They raised their family in Florham Park, N.J., and retired to Williamsburg in 1983 to be close to their grandchildren. He was involved with sales for a number of companies during his business career.

While in Florham Park, Bob’s love of youths and athletics led him to be very active as a community volunteer. He served as a coach, president, and Executive Board member of the Little League and Youth Football programs for 12 years and received the Little League program’s “Man of the Year Award” in 1964.

He was a member and chairman for 14 years of the Florham Park Recreation Commission and was also a member and chair of Florham Park’s Juvenile Conference Committee, a division of the Morris County, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He was active in other community groups, including as a member and president of the Holy Family Church Parish Council. In 1968, he was honored by the Florham Park Jaycees with their Distinguished Service Award.

Bob spearheaded Florham Park’s Recreation Commission’s then controversial efforts to develop its first multi-acre recreational site with numerous athletic fields, courts, and community gathering pavilions. The development became the center of the community recreational programs.

In his honor, the development was subsequently named “Emmett Park.”