Raymond D. Bodnar

Raymond D. Bodnar, Professor Emeritus of the Center for Government Services at Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey, died Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the age of 94 in Raritan Township NJ. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Alice J. (Gotowicka) Bodnar, in 2018. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah N. Bodnar of Milford NJ, his son and daughter-in-law, Eric Bodnar and Eileen Ruby of Greenfield MA, his son Gregory Bodnar of Williamsburg MA, his sister, Helen Louise D’Zurilla of Hamilton NJ, and several nieces and nephews.

Raymond was born June 6, 1929 in Carteret NJ and graduated from Carteret High School in 1947. He received his BA in 1951 and his MA in 1955 from Rutgers University. In 1957, Raymond joined the faculty of Rutgers in the Bureau of Government Research (now the Center for Government Services), and enjoyed a long, professional career, retiring in 1991.

Raymond worked with many colleagues at the Center for Government Services to develop programs designed to improve the performance of local government professionals. He served as consultant to many NJ Charter Study Commissions and was the former Vice-Chair of the Bridgewater Commission in 1973.

Raymond was an active member of the American Association of University Professors, the Retired Faculty Association and AAUP Emeriti Assembly. He also was a member of the University Senate. He was a dedicated Alumnus and a past President of the Rutgers College Class of 1951, where Raymond served on several alumni committees and was a charter member of the Rutgers Living History Society. As a loyal Rutgers sports fan, Raymond also attended several Rutgers Alumni Colleges, both in the United States and abroad.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, as an infantry officer in the 7th Infantry Division and the First Calvary Division both in Korea and Japan.

Private funeral arrangements and cremation services are under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.