“John quietly and bravely fought his way through cancer treatment to the very end … May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire all who were touched by his life.” ~ family of John Ekdahl
Rumson-raised Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate, son, husband, father, John Sievers Ekdahl, passed away on Feb. 11 at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He was 47.
The brother of a man who was found dead along with his wife and two children days before Thanksgiving 2018 has been convicted at trial of murdering them, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Friday.
The Sandy Hook Foundation, the nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Sandy Hook’s natural, cultural and historic resources and visitor experience enhancement, has named two new members to its Board of Trustees, one a Rumsonite.
A former high school English teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison for separately engaging in numerous sexual acts with two of her students over the course of several years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.
Former longtime Rumson schools Art teacher, Little Silver resident, Barbara Ann Ruh Stender, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8. She was 92.
Barbara was born on Dec. 30, 1933 in Bayonne.
“After earning her degree in Education from Kutztown University, Barbara began a decades-long career as an Art teacher to hundreds of children in the Rumson School District. Barbara truly loved working with children and was beloved by many of her former students.
“Barbara’s greatest love was her children who all survive her. There was no fiercer advocate for her children when they were in need.”
She is survived by: her children, Jeffrey Stender, of Key Largo, FL, Mark Stender, of North East, MD, Beverly Kalinsky (Michael), of North East, MD, and Bruce Stender, of Sacramento, CA; and her seven grandchildren.
Barbara was predeceased by: her parents, Gus and Loretta Ruh; and her brother, Gus Jr..
The family would like to extend our gratitude to the caregivers of Visiting Angels, Amedisys and the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Company.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701. A mass of christian burial will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, 94 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Burial will follow at Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local volunteer Fire or EMS departments or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home
It was his smile that said it all — soft and clear. It whispered “hold each homegrown memory close for comfort.” It exhaled without letting go. His happy sigh said, “Everything is just fine, because we’ll always just be kids walking back home together.”
Rumson-raised Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, Patty “Grammy” Roberto, more recently of Monmouth Beach, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6 with her family by her side. She was 87.
One teen has been indicted on murder and related weapons offenses stemming from the 2025 fatal shooting incident at Pier Village in Long Branch. Two other teens have been indicted on conspiracy and weapons offenses in connection with the incident, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.
You must be logged in to post a comment.