Robert Alan Markley

Robert Alan Markley, 93, of Piscataway, NJ, died Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.  Robert, aka, Bob, was born and raised in Easton, PA. Bob is survived by his wife, Karen Meyer Markley, his sons Eric Conrad Markley and Kirk Edgar Markley and his sister Anne Louise Morgan.  Bob is predeceased by his parents Helen Mae Markley and Edgar Augustus Markley and former spouse Dorothea T Webber. With his love for animals, Bob graduated with a Bachelors degree in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and worked on a dairy farm in Doylestown PA during college. He furthered his education with a Masters degree in Biochemistry from Cook College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Upon graduation, he worked for 37 years in the Food Science Department of Cook College, Rutgers University where he ultimately retired. While at Rutgers and with his love for horses, Bob was actively involved with the Rutgers Equestrian Team.  He had a wonderful voice to serve as an announcer for their horse shows.  Bob also served on the Board as Chairman for the Middlesex County Horse Show for a number of years when the shows were held in Johnson Park every spring.  His love for horses continued when he became the owner of farm property to board horses, grow a garden and maintain several acres of land. Bob always loved the outdoors starting as a child with summer vacations on Silver Lake in NJ.  He joined the AMC, Appalachian Mountain Club to learn to rock climb and take trips for caving and winter mountaineering.  While working at Rutgers, Bob shared his love for outdoor adventures as the advisor to the Rutgers University Outdoor Club for over 20 years. He encouraged college students to explore the outdoors by going on trips led by others in the club who have had experience in rock climbing, caving, winter mountaineering, cross country skiing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and bicycling.  He encouraged students to push their limits while being safe and helping others to learn and become leaders too. Lifelong friendships were established and this is how Karen met Bob. Bob also loved dancing and taught ballroom classes at a YMCA for years.  He also enjoyed contra dancing and country western for an evening out. Bob always kept himself in shape by working out at the gym, running in the morning with his dogs before work, swimming in the pool, bicycling, practicing yoga and eating healthy.  He competed in a good number of triathlons as an inspiration to keep in shape.  All of this kept him young enough to take trips with the college students in the Rutgers Outdoor Club which in itself was an inspiration for the students as well. Bob was a founding member of the University Swimming Association and actively served on the Board as Membership Chair for over 50 years.  His dedication to the pool has been invaluable to the Association. And last but not least, though late in life, Bob became a proud father of 2 boys, Eric and Kirk who also love the outdoors through family camping and hiking trips on the East Coast and out West. He couldn’t be more proud of them and their accomplishments.  He loved them dearly as they meant the world to him. A celebration of life will be planned for family and friends later this spring or summer.