Mr. Robert "Bob" Kingsley
April 20, 1930 ~ February 15, 2025
Paramus - Robert Linscott Kingsley, 94, of Paramus, NJ passed away on February 15, 2025 peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
Robert (Bob) was born on April 20, 1930 in Teaneck, New Jersey and was raised in Hackensack where he graduated from Hackensack High School starring in both basketball and baseball. Robert graduated with an Education degree from New York University and a Master's Degree in Education from Teachers College of Columbia University. After college, Robert served as a Corporal in the Army during the Korean War and started his career as a fifth-grade teacher at Ridge Ranch Elementary School in Paramus, one day after being honorably discharged from the Army. In 1957, he became a Paramus High School Health and Physical Education teacher. Bob was the first baseball coach of Paramus High School winning 268 games during his tenure. Additionally, he led his teams to four league, one county, and one state championship. In 1975, Bob received Coach of the Year from the Bergen County Coaches Association. In 1995, Bob was inducted into the New Jersey Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1994-1995 Bob served as the Paramus High School Athletic Director and Supervisor of Health and Physical Education, retiring in 1995 with 41 years in the district. In 2009, Bob was inducted into the Paramus High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bob also had a distinguished career as high school and college basketball official, with highlights including refereeing games in Madison Square Garden, and many Bergen County, Passic County and NJ State Championships. In 2009, Bob was also awarded the Howard H. Bollerman Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to High School Basketball by the Bergen County Coaches Association. Bob held various executive and volunteer roles in the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 33), including mentoring new officials. In March of this year, the Association will posthumously recognize him for his 70 years of service.
He was an active member of Our Lady of the Visitation Church, and served as a Eucharistic Minister.
In 1959, he married the love of his life, Claire Marie Senger and together they made their home in Paramus and were the proud parents of five children. Throughout their 60 years of marriage, Claire and Bob were a true inspiration to everyone who knew them. Together, they would enjoy summers at their beach house with friends and family.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Claire and is survived by their children James (Sallie), Edward (Jeanne), Robert Jr. (Kim), Elizabeth (Vincent) Gugliemini, and Matthew (Sonia); grandchildren, Kevin, Laura, Scott and Paul Kingsley, Megan, Julianne, Michael and Patrick Kingsley, Nick and Jay Kingsley, Emma and Sophia Gugliemini, and Brandon and Ashley Kingsley, as well as his sisters-in-law Irene Senger and Jennifer Senger and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents David and Ida Kingsley, Bob was predeceased in death by his brothers Richard and James Kingsley, and his sister Bertha Trevithan.
In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation as follows:
The checks should be made payable to:
Paramus Board of Education
Attn: Lynda Ariyan
145 Spring Valley Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Notation: Robert and Claire Kingsley Scholarship Fund
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 3pm - 7pm at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 S. Farview Ave., Paramus.
Funeral service from the funeral home on Saturday. 9:30am, then to Our Lady of the Visitation Church, 234 N. Farview Ave., Paramus, for a 10am Mass of Christian Burial. Interment immediately following at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.
Yearbook Faculty Candids
Mr. Kingsley and his young dance partner at the Sadie Hawkins Dance on 11 November 1972. Photos courtesy Stan Cohen.
Photo on left, published in the 1973 Delphian Tapestry Edition with the caption, "...and they handcuffed me to a tree and made me an offer I couldn't refuse." Mr. Kingsley relates his "tortuous" experience in school.
From Mr. Kingsley's Hackensack High School 50 Year Reunion.
Hackensack High School
Class of 1948
50 Year Reunion Yearbook
May 1-3, 1998
Posted June 2010
Around Christmas every year, many older graduates of the World War II and Korean War get together at the Maywood Inn. In December of 2013, I met Robert Kingsley and gave him a veterans form to fill out about his service. He was living in Paramus at the time and wrote his full name as Robert Linscott Kingsley. He stated that he had attended Hackensack High School from 1945 to 1948 and graduated in 1948. Robert L. Kingsley joined the service probably after college, although he does not mention that and served in the Army from September 2, 1952 till September 1, 1954. He rose to the rank of Corporal.
I, Bob Meli, knew Robert L. Kingsley as the very successful Paramus High School baseball coach for many years.
Recorded by:
Bob Meli
August 5, 2014
Joseph Leicht (1970)
It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Mr. Kingsley. He was my baseball coach at Paramus from 1968-1970. Although our teams were not as great as his teams in the mid 60s and mid 70s, our team was prepared for every game and personally he developed my game so that I could move on to play at Montclair State and to play semipro after that. His coaching rubbed off on me as well as I moved on to coach football/basketball/softball/and of course baseball as a high school teacher. As a young varsity boys basketball coach at Indian Hills, Mr. Kingsley, and Mr. Brown, would officiate several of my games. He would give me a wink as he ran by me ready to make the next call. When I was inducted into the Paramus HS Athletic Hall of Fame, after my speech, he personally walked up to me and shook my hand in front of everyone. I felt like a million dollars. When I moved on from Indian Hills basketball coach to Wayne Valley basketball coach, the Indian Hills gym was named after the first Indian Hills AD and, ironically, my Wayne Valley team was the opponent on that special night for the game and Mr. Kingsley and Mr. Brown, and their wives, were in attendance because they knew of the importance of both schools to my career was to me. As Indian Hills varsity softball coach, I would get back to IH from my away game and I would see Mr. Kingsley umpiring behind the plate of the jv game with Mr. Brown on the bases and we shared many great funny "comments" back and forth during the game.
As you can see, I never really lost touch with Mr. Kingsley in the 55 years since high school. He was my teacher (gym class), my coach (baseball), my mentor (high school coaching), and of most importance a special friend. It is so very sad that another prominant teacher/coach from my high school days has passed on. RIP Mr.Kingsley
Joey
James O'Shea (1963)
Fellow Classmates
We were sure lucky to " The King " in our lives
He was the best role model I've ever known, can't even remember him without a smile and a sense of gratitude that I had the privilege to be coached by him
Sincerely
Jim O 'Shea
Stanley Schweiger (1960)
Mr.Kingsley was a mentor, a teacher, and a wonderful friend. I was fortunate to be a sports writer who spent a lot of time in the PHS gym office with mr. Kingsley and Mr. Hoeland. They were successful coaches and gym teachers. Most important, both were outstanding human beings.We loved them, and we'll miss them! Sincere condolences to Mr. Kingsley's family @ friends!Ronald Zartarian (1962)
I remember Mr. Kingsley well, altho I never had him as a instructor,..Just a nice man and I so admires him as a educator professional.,
Al McCormack (1961)
Mr Kingsley was my baseball coach and helped coached me with Basketball with Mr HoelandHe was a wonderful Man and a coach who believed in me.
He helped me get 1st team all County and second team all state my senior year at third base.
I send my best to your family and Iam very glad you were in my life at Paramus High School 1961
Thanks Mr. KINGSLEY
Linda Rugamer (Bock) (1967)
Mr. Kingsley was my Homeroom teacher for my last 3 years of high school. He was an absolute pleasure to spend our mornings with before heading off to classes. I sat in the front and my buddy Dave Sammarco sat behind me. We had some wonderful conversations with Mr. Kingsley, and I fondly remember those 3 words he spoke every morning. "Shall we please" which was his "signature phrase" letting us know it was time to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Thanks for the memories Mr. Kingsley and say Hi to Dave for me!
Mike Tramontano (1967)
I enjoyed playing baseball for Coach Kingsley in 1966 and 1967. Those teams were not the best of his teams, but we worked hard and enjoyed his coaching tips and enthusiasm. I do remember that he taught us how to drive when the school had a driver's ed program so I owe my safe driving history to him.
I'm sure the many students who interacted with him over the years will have fond memories of Coach Kingsley. My condolences to his family.
Stan Cohen (1974)
Mr. Joe Cervino and Mr. Bob Kingsley as seen on June 10, 2023 for a 50 Year Reunion of the East Brook Eagles freshman baseball team win in 1973, at the original Bergen County championship. The team was coached by Mr. Joe Cervino and Mr. Peroni.
Some of the team assembled at the baseball field at East Brook Middle School, organized by Lou Lanzalotto.
I was fortunate to attend and show Mr. Kingsley the photos I took at the Sadie Hawkins Dance in 1972.
Louis Lanzalotto (1976)
That was a great day, Stan. Lifelong friends able to spend the day with Coach Cervino and Coach Kingsley. Two men we all respected greatly. Thanks for posting those pictures!
Scott Van Valen (1966)
Although Mr. Kingsley was our gym teacher in 1964/1965/1966, my most vivid memory is of several of us graduates (class of "66) talking with him while standing in his driveway on Lucky Hollow Drive (?) in the Summer of 1967. Bob was holding his newborn baby son in his arms and fairly glowed with his pride, love and affection for his child. He was a good and a kind man.