Henry (Hank) Runge, Jr.

RUNGE, Henry (Hank) Jr. of Toms River, NJ died April 16th, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Born September 8, 1925 in West New York, NJ. He was the son of the late Josephine and Henry Runge. He is survived by his wife of 64 years June (nee Stiess), son Robert and his wife Kay, sons Richard and Gary, sisters Ruth Grund and Eleanor Powley as well his adoring grandchildren Grant Runge, Dawn Babiak, Mathew Runge, and Nickole Runge. While on leave from the Merchant Marines, he eloped to Las Vegas with his beloved June. Hank graduated from the Merchant Marine School of Pharmacy and served proudly during World War II. He had a long career with New Jersey Bell Telephone Company starting as an installer, advancing to the Marketing Department where he was an instructor. Hank was President of the Hackensack – Englewood chapter of the Telephone Pioneers. He retired as the Administrator of the NJ Bell Pioneers. In this capacity, he was involved in the fund-raising for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. He enjoyed portraying Santa Claus to the children all over the world as a good-will ambassador for the Pioneers. He had a tremendous love for sports and was involved in the relay of the Olympic Torch in 1984 and was a member of the golf, tennis and choir of Lake Ridge Senior complex in Toms River. Hank was President of the New Milford Swim Club. He coached as well as managed the Babe Ruth and Little League of New Milford. Hank also was a member of the New Milford Planning Board. He also served for four years as Treasurer of Kimball Hospital Auxiliary. He was a choir member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Manchester as well as Sunday school teacher and choir member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in New Milford. Hank looked forward to visits with his 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral service to be held on Tuesday, April 20th at the Volk-Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ at 12:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited for visitation on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Manchester, in Ocean County, Saturday April 24 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 225 Center Street, New Milford, NJ 07646, would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Henry (Hank) Runge, Jr.

April 16, 2010