Obituary of Robert Plenge

Robert Louis "Luke" Plenge, 89, of Washington, NJ, Warren County passed away Monday, October 15, 2012 . Born: He was born on June 11, 1923 in Belleville, NJ to the late August Plenge and Caroline Bender Plenge. Personal: Luke graduated from Belleville High School and attended the Air Corp College program at Winthrop College while serving in the US Army during World War II. After leaving the Army he joined the family business, Plenge Farm in Bellville, NJ and later Asbury, NJ. They were vegetable farmers supplying top quality produce to city grocers. In 1959 he invested in a new bowling alley in Washington, Oakwood Lanes. He grew Oakwood Lanes from 16 to 26 lanes, then incorporated a full service restaurant, Sports Scene. Luke was passionate about basketball, gardening, golf, reading about history, and his family. He recently translated his family's oral history to written, illustrated with photos reaching back to the 1850s. In the narrative he writes that after buying his business he had achieved his dream: "a small business, in a small town and a family." For many years Luke was active in fostering youth sports in Washington. He introduced and taught countless boys and girls bowling. He could be clearly heard from the stands at many youth games cheering on his sons and later his grandchildren, possibly challenging an official's call or two. Memberships: He was a member and former president of the Rotary Club of Washington. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Margo Hyde Gibbs; son, Rob Plenge and his wife, Melanie of Washington; step-son, Ben Ford and his wife Jeanne of Saratoga Springs, NY; step-daughter-in-law, Mary Ford of Lexington, KY; and step-son, Peter Gibbs of Washington. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jessica Ford Douglas of Nashville, TN, Kyle Ford of Lexington, KY, Riley, Danielle and Shane Plenge of Washington, Palmer Gibbs and his wife Clarice of Nashville, TN, and William and Teddy Gibbs of Chester; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Duckworth; stepson, Glenn Ford; brothers, Gus, William, John, Chuck, Fred and Harry Plenge; and sisters, Wilma Plenge and Eleanor Plenge Turke. Services: On Saturday, October 20th the family will be receiving visitors at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Washington. There are no calling hours. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Warren Hills Sports Association; P.O. Box 398; Washington, NJ 07882; . OR Washington Emergency Squad, 100 Belvidere Ave, Washington, NJ 07882.