George Robert Zeller

George Robert Zeller (“Bob”) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25 at home in Shrewsbury, NJ with his family and his sweet golden retriever by his side.  Bob was 94.

Bob was born in Newark, NJ in 1928 to parents George F. Zeller and Helen (Halliday) Zeller. He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1949, and then served as a U.S. Navy officer during the Korean War aboard the USS Mississippi. He had a career spanning more than 30 years in advertising in New York City, first at the NBC Television Network for 15 years, then at Lintas Worldwide (formerly SSC&B), where he became Vice President of Business Affairs, directing television and radio business affairs and securing celebrity talent – his expertise in broadcast standards and skills as a negotiator were considered best in industry.

Like his father and grandfather, Bob was committed to serving his community as a firefighter. He was a member and a Captain of the Navesink Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, and also an instructor at the Middletown Township Fire Academy. In addition, Bob bookended his professional advertising career with an enduring passion: fire truck sales. Bob was a fire truck salesman for Mack Trucks in the 50s and 60s, and then returned to it after his retirement as a salesman for Fire & Safety Services of South Plainfield where he sold Pierce fire trucks to departments up and down the Jersey Shore for 18 years.

 Bob was also a leader in his community, serving as President of the Middletown Council of Civic Associations, of the Navesink Library Association, and of the Duryea Foundation. He was a former vestryman of All Saints Church in Navesink and a lector of Christ Church in Shrewsbury.

Bob was a font of knowledge and a gifted storyteller, never ceasing to amaze his family with compelling new tales, delivered in his deep smooth voice, drawn from his many experiences and encyclopedic reading (literally: he actually read the encyclopedia for fun when young). He had strong Princeton Tiger spirit, returning often to Princeton Reunions to connect with old classmates. He had a lifelong bond to his animal companions, a parade of cats and dogs who received his doting attentions. His wit and wisdom brightening the room and we his family loved him for it.

But surpassing all of these things was his love and total dedication to his wife Ginny, a love that was on display in his actions and words every day.

Bob is predeceased by his brother Ted. He is survived by his wife Virginia (Mellaci) Zeller of Shrewsbury, by his stepsons Jay Czarnecki (wife Nancy) of Columbia, MD and Michael Czarnecki (wife Tracy) of Chattanooga, TN, and by his son James and daughter Amy by his first marriage. He was beloved “Grampy” to Dylan Czarnecki of San Francisco, CA; Adam Czarnecki of Washington, DC; and Callie Czarnecki and Gabriella Czarnecki, both of Chattanooga, TN.

At Bob’s request, a service with Military Honors will be held at the Brigadier William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ on Thursday, February 2 at 11:30 am. All family and friends are welcome. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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