In Memoriam: Red Bank-Raised, RBH ’53 Grad, Community ‘Firebrand,’ Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Thorpe, 89

Red Bank-raised Red Bank High School graduate, Barbara “Bobbie” Thorpe, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, passed away on Nov. 20, “just four days shy of her 90th birthday.” She was 89.

She was known as “a firebrand for many local issues,” friend Don Watson commented on her obituary. “Barbara will always be an inspiration to those that pay attention in our community.” And that spirit of activism started young …

“Bobbie was a bit of a rebel — she was sent home from high school for wearing jeans!

“Bobbie is (also) remembered by her family for loving many styles of music with country being her favorite. Bobbie certainly knew her way around the kitchen and enjoyed making a fine meal for her family and friends. Bobbie enjoyed traveling with her husband Bill, they enjoyed seeing Hawaii, Mexico and much of the US. They especially loved trips to Maine in the fall for leaf peeping and a great seafood dinner. Bobbie enjoyed crafting after her retirement.

“She loved to watch sports; NFL, baseball, golf and tennis were all enjoyable to her. Bobbie met the love of her life, Bill in 1954. She was literally driving her convertible around the circuit in Red Bank and saw Bill on the street corner.

“They just celebrated 70 years of marriage this May. Together Bobbie and Bill built a house, raised three kids and enjoyed a good long life together …

“Bobbie was a tomboy in her youth. She loved sports and lettered in basketball. She loved to bowl, roller skate and ice skate. She learned carpentry from her father and crabbing from her grandfather. She rode her horse whenever she could and loved animals of all kinds, especially her dogs and cats.”
Loved ones of Bobbie Thorpe in her obituary

Bobbie was born on Nov. 24, 1935 in Dumont and raised in Red Bank. She was a proud member of the Red Bank High School Class of 1953.

Bobbie began working for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company in 1953. During her years at Bell, she was a member of CWA Local 1001 and served as secretary treasurer. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and served as the president of the Red Bank/Freehold Council. Through her involvement in the Telephone Pioneers she participated in many charitable activities.

Bobbie was predeceased by: her parents, Howard and Suzanne Reynolds; her sisters, Carol R. Story and Joan R. Baxter; and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Loechel.

Bobbie is survived by: her loving husband, William C. Thorpe, Jr.; and her children, Christa McLaughlin (Brian), William C. Thorpe III, and BarbaraThorpe-Nelson (Michael); her grandchildren, Jacob Nelson, Theodore Thorpe, Dana Thorpe and Catherine Nelson; her sister, Patricia Mueller; her brother, Howard Reynolds; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A prayer service will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at 10:30 a.m. the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lunch Break of Red Bank https://lunchbreak.org/ or the ASPCA of Monmouth https://monmouthcountyspca.org/.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home