Richard B. Oliver

Richard Bruce Oliver, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Bethlehem Township NJ on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ on November 26, 1947, to Edward and Beatrice (Cook) Oliver, Rick grew up in Westfield, NJ having graduated from Westfield High School in 1965. He met his beloved wife, Jane Taylor in 1964 and they would be celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary this October. Rick and Jane have lived in Asbury, NJ (Bethlehem Township) for over 50 years.

After volunteering for the draft in 1966 and being honorably discharged from the US Army, Rick worked for S.W. Oliver, Inc. in Linden, NJ as an office manager. He then ran Oliver’s Orvis shop in Clinton, NJ with his father for many years. He then became a materials manager with RBH Dispersions in Bound Brook, NJ, a division of Reichhold Chemical.

Rick was a lifelong fly fisherman, having caught his first trout at age ten in Changewater, NJ. He fished all over the United States including in Montana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania in addition to New Jersey, and was a former member of Lake Solitude Club in Highbridge, NJ. He was also a fly tying expert and spent many fall vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, MA chasing those elusive Albies and Bluefish. His other passion in life was golf, having been a member of Harkers Hollow Golf Club in Harmony, NJ. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandson, David.

He is predeceased in death by his parents, and his brother, Michael J. Oliver . He is survived by his loving wife, Jane; daughter Melissa (Oliver) Wlodarczyk, and her husband, Bryan of Sellersville, PA; daughter, Rachel (Oliver) Gionta, and her husband, Matthew of Prospect Park, PA; brother, Samuel Oliver and wife, Roberta of New Hope, PA; his grandson, David Oliver Wlodarcyyk, and five nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. after visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Holcombe Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 215 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.