Obituary of Robert H Mangels

Robert H. Mangels, 84 of Mansfield Township, NJ passed away peacefully on June 15, 2023 under hospice care with his loving family by his side. Robert was born on May 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Herbert and Alma "Meyer" Mangels. He grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1957. He earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1961 from the Polytechnical Institute of Brooklyn where he received the award for best undergraduate thesis. He went on to achieve his M.B.A. in Industrial Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1981. Robert married his soulmate Marianne "Doennecke" in 1962. From 1961-1989, he was employed by Allied Signal/Ausimont USA, using his expertise as a polymer chemist to achieve various positions including Plant Manager of the Metuchen, NJ plant. Prior to his retirement in 2004, he was employed as Manager of Environmental Safety for USR Optonix in Hackettstown. While living in Hackettstown, where they moved from Whippany, NJ in 1990, Robert and his wife were longtime parishioners of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Washington. While living in Whippany, NJ they were devoted members of Good Shephard Lutheran Church in Florham Park (now called Amazing Grace Lutheran Church). Robert enjoyed volunteering his time with the church and greeting members before Sunday's service. Robert had a brilliant mind, which enjoyed appling to electronics, woodworking, gardening, and finances. He immersed himself in Popular Mechanics and electronics magazines. He was able to build working televisions and radios that were in use by family members for many years. He also enjoyed making his own furniture and constructed a porch and deck that gave his family many cool summers while in Whippany. Robert was also a model airplane buff. He built many to-scale planes over the years and would fly them with friends at local parks. In spring and summer, you would often find him in his "Victory Garden" where he would grow a variety of vegetables. Garlic and onions were particular favorites. He would share his love of growing garlic with his family and friends and loved to make onion soup out of his home-grown produce. When they had time, Marianne and Robert could also be found heading to the beach where they enjoyed visiting lighthouses at locations up and down the east coast. In addition to his loving wife of 61 years, Robert is survived by a daughter, Dr. Jennifer Mangels and her husband Sri Christopher-Keith Romero; a sister, Ruth Nielsen and her husband David and a grandson Jason Arjuna Romero. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Frederick Mangels. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Saturday June 24, 2023 from 10 – 11:30 AM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service celebrating Robert's life will be held on Saturday at 12:00 PM at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. 214 Route 31 North. Washington, NJ 07882. Cremation will be held privately. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Roberts name to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com