Obituary of Charles Vastbinder

Charles “Chuck” Vastbinder, 84, of Freehold died Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Chuck was born in Seneca Falls, NY, on July 31, 1930, the youngest of three sons of the late J. Wallace and Nettie (McConnell) Vastbinder. He grew up in the Finger Lakes area of NY State, graduating from Trumansburg, NY High School and served as Senior Class President. Chuck received an Associate degree in Applied Science, Chemistry from Rochester Institute of Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Economics and Master of Business Administration degrees from Northwestern University. From 1955 to 1957, he served honorably in the US Army obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. His professional career was focused in the pharmaceutical and health care consumer products industry. He retired in 1991 after working for 18 years at Carter-Wallace, Inc., Cranbury, NJ, as Director, International Services. Throughout his life he was involved in many volunteer activities including coaching girls’ recreation basketball and softball teams and a frequent blood donor. Chuck was a member of Old Tennent Presbyterian Church for 40 years and served as an Elder and member of the Board of Trustees. He was also a long-time member of the Board of Trustees of the Old Tennent Cemetery Association and served as Treasurer. Upon retirement, he became a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Chapter 36 mentoring small business owners for 18 years and serving as Chapter Chair for 3 years. He taught an International Trade course at Brookdale Community College and worked with local high school students. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, watching horse races and celebrating birthdays at Monmouth Park, bowling in several leagues, playing bridge, fishing and bird watching. Chuck is predeceased by his parents and brothers Kenneth and James Vastbinder. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan (Back); his three daughters, Gail Giacobbe and her husband Arthur of Wall, Gwen Majercak and her husband John of Conway, MA, and Laura Vastbinder and her husband Dr. Thomas Trojian of Philadelphia, PA; five grandchildren, Lauren Giacobbe, Elise Giacobbe, Nate Trojian, Sara Majercak and Kalina Majercak; as well as nieces, a nephew, and their families. Visitation is Saturday, June 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, June 22 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold. Burial immediately following at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent, NJ. To send condolences, please visit www.higginsmemorialhome.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Chuck’s memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org, or Old Tennent Cemetery Association, PO Box 5, Tennent, NJ 07763.