Robert John Aste

Robert John Aste

 Branchburg – Robert John Aste, 73, passed away at his home on May 1, 2022 after a relentless battle with gastroesophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born in Hackensack, NJ to the late Albert and Dorothy (Headley) Aste. He was raised in Park Ridge where his parents & grandparents grew their families. Robert moved to Boonton Twp. where he and his wife Kathleen lived for twenty six years. Most recently they moved to Branchburg with their two fur-babies.

Robert served as an airmobile light arms infantryman in the Americal division of the army during the Vietnam War. Robert’s cancer was caused by exposure to herbicides during his military service. As Robert would say, he fought justly in an unjust war. At the time of his honorable discharge, Robert was a senior clerk typist in the army. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor at Rutgers University. He was an attorney for many years with Morgan, Melhuish Abrutyn before retiring in 2018. Robert was a voracious reader and a lover of music. He loved gardening. In particular he enjoyed planting daffodils in the fall and working on his ponds in the spring. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife, children and granddaughters. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory (and have cake in his honor) his loving wife of 48 years, Kathleen (Salmon) Aste; children and their spouses, Patrick Aste and his wife, Amrita, Timothy Aste and his wife, Melinda and Sarah Croken and her husband, Kevin; siblings, Anne Hughes and Dorothy Bozzone, grandchildren, Isabella Aste, Delilah Jane Aste and Emma Croken, niece, Laurie Hughes-McCauley and nephews, Daniel Hughes, David Hughes and Thomas Hughes.

Cremation services were under the direction of Bridgewater Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, https://www.fallenpatriots.org/.