Mr Robert Matzkin

Robert Matzkin, age 59, of Teaneck, New Jersey, died very suddenly, but quietly, at home on Friday, November 1, 2013. His wife, Cary, was with him when he passed away. He had been disabled for over seven years and also had a number of serious medical issues, including six surgeries, over the past three years. His death, however, was very unexpected as his condition had been stable at the time. Robert was the loving husband of Cary and father of Rose. He is also survived by his brother, Michael Matzkin of Fairfield, Iowa; his sister, Carol Gordon of Gainesville, Florida; and his sister-in-law, Laura McMahon of Ridgewood, New Jersey. Robert had a strong spiritual focus throughout his life. He was raised in the Jewish religion, and deepened his study of Judaism as an adult. Then he began to investigate other faiths and started to practice meditation. At one point, Robert participated in yoga and meditation at a Florida retreat offered by Ananda Ashram, a spiritual study center located in Monroe, New York. Robert moved up to the New York area in the late 1980s in order to study at Ananda Ashram, even living at the Ashram for awhile. He also participated in other seminars to pursue his personal growth. Robert and Cary met at one of these seminars in 1988, and discovered that they both were involved in spiritual pursuits as well. They married in September 1989 and their daughter, Rose, was born in 1991. Through his wife, Cary, Robert learned about Eckankar, the Religion of the Light and Sound of God, of which she was already a member. He began to read the Eck books and felt a connection to the teachings, and chose to become a member of Eckankar himself. He was active in Eckankar programs in both New York and New Jersey for a number of years, until he became disabled. He was a devoted Eckist and continued the spiritual studies at home that he had done all along. Born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida, Robert was a graduate of Florida State University. He also did graduate work in Technical Theater at Temple University in Philadelphia. Robert was a creative and energetic person, and he worked many years as a newspaper photographer, first at the Daily Highlander in Lake Wales, Florida, and later at the Star-Ledger here in North Jersey. He also did freelance photography for weddings and other special events and art photography for creative expression. He later pursued a career in sales, to stretch himself with new responsibilities. Robert spent 17 years as a loyal and hardworking employee of Taylor Rental in Franklin Lakes, and loved his job. He was involved with rentals for weddings and other parties for both individuals and companies. He had to stop working when he became disabled in 2006. Robert and Cary were married for 24 years. However, he had some significant issues from his early life that affected their marriage and family, and they were separated for five years at one point. This created difficulties in the family, as did his years of illness and disability. Robert worked hard on his healing in many ways, which surely enabled him to live as long as he did, given his health problems. Robert was devoted to family and to God. An Eckankar Memorial Service will be held at the Volk Leber Funeral Home in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 16th. A reception will follow at the home of the Wannamaker-Brevetti family, long time friends of the Matzkin family. Those planning an expression of sympathy may contribute to assist the family with medical bills (and learn more about Robert's illness) at: https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/in-remembrance-of-robert/104970