Robert Numssen

Robert W. Numssen, 83, of Waymart died peacefully on Friday, May 31, 2024 at home.  His beloved wife of more than 58 years, Beverly Blackwell Numssen, survives him. 

Born December 10, 1940 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, he was the son of German immigrants who entered the US through Ellis Island, the late Robert Friedrich Albert Numssen and Maria (Poley) Numssen.

Bob grew up in Ozone Park, Queens living above the German delicatessen owned and operated by his parents utilizing many cherished family recipes. He later married the love of his life, Beverly, not only because her father owned a fishing boat, but because they were soulmates from the time they first met.

Bob was a Medical Underwriter for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for over 30 years, retiring in 1985. He was also employed by the Local 176 Licensed Usher and Ticket Taker Union in a second career spanning more than 40 years.  He worked at venues including Shea, Yankee and Forest Hill Tennis Stadiums, Nassau Coliseum and Madison Square Garden; eventually attaining the position of Shop Steward. 

He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Suburban Queens Village Lodge No. 962 for over 62 years and an avid bowler, fisherman, and “frustrated farmer”.  His competitive bowling career saw his highest achievement of a 297 point game just one strike short of a perfect and elusive 300. Ocean fishing out of Long Island’s Freeport and Captree harbors occupied many of Bob’s happy hours year round. Yet Bob’s favorite avocation was gardening an oversized patch in his backyard and helping out on family friend Fred Nordenhold’s dairy farm in Beach Lake, PA annually during haying season, which became a much loved multi-generational pursuit. Bob was ahead of his time with insights around environmental sustainability, animal welfare and clean eating that preceded today’s sensibilities. 

Upon moving to Waymart, Bob and Bev were blessed to find The Waymart Church where Bob especially looked forward to bible study, church, and meaningful fellowship with many wonderful friends.

A man of few words, most of them blunt and direct, he kept most things private, could be difficult to know, hard at times to understand and foolish to cross. He balanced these traits with honesty, integrity and an unexpected undercurrent of an offbeat, well-timed sense of humor. You always knew exactly where you stood with him.  Family, with his sometimes fierce protection of his kids, was his paramount value. He was a man of action, and his actions were how he expressed his love and care for you. 

In addition to his wife, Bob is also survived by three children:  Joanie Numssen Santos and her husband Matthew of San Jose, CA, Patricia Caputo and her husband Nicholas of Mastic Beach, NY and Robert Numssen and his wife Nathalie of Bluffton, SC; ten grandchildren:  C Santos, Stephanie Santos, and Daína Santos, Bex Caputo, Dominick Caputo, and Kyle Caputo, Molly May and Jack, Henry, Stella, and Gabriella ; and one great-grandson, Nate, many Numssen cousins of Saugerties, NY and a best friend he considered the brother he never had John “Jack” Wolf and his wife Carol of Richmond Hill Queens.  

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at The Waymart Church, 596 Honesdale Road, Waymart, PA 18472 with Pastor Sal Maiorana officiating.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 1-2 P.M. at The Waymart Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob's memory to The Waymart Church, 596 Honesdale Road, Waymart, PA 18431.

Internment will be open to family and friends in Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens, Queens, New York on Monday, June 10th at 1 PM.

Arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc. Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472.