Dr. Robert C. “Doc” Schelin, 76, of Tappan, NY since 1952, passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Born in Jersey City, NJ on June 11, 1945 to the late Gunhild and Carl Schelin. He was the beloved husband of Carol R. Schelin (nee Ricketts), whom he married August 3, 1974 in Belmont, NY. Loving father of Leslie R. Heffernan (nee Schelin) and her husband Clark. Dear brother of the late Carol L. Schelin. He is also survived by many loving family members, friends, students, colleagues and athletes across the spectrum in Tappan, Rockland County and beyond.
Bob received his PhD from SUNY Binghamton in May of 1975. He was the Dean of Student Affairs at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, where he was also a professor of history and political science, women’s and men’s basketball team rep and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society advisor.
Robert led a life dedicated to public service. A 50 year life-member of the Volunteer Fire Association of Tappan and was past-president, was Secretary of Commissioners for the Tappan Fire District and most notably, was Tappan’s Santa Claus. He was on the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees and was a member of the RCC Foundation. Robert served on the Town of Orangetown Highway Advisory Committee, the Orangetown Parks and Recreation Committee and the Republican Party Committee. He also volunteered in Wellsville, NY annually at the Ridgewalk and Run and belonged to the Baltic-Framat Chapter of the New Jersey Vasa Order of America.
Robert was a member of the Tappan Reformed Church, Tappan, NY, and was vice-president of the consistory and cemetery chairperson. He was also a Freemason, Stony Point Waywayonda Lodge, Sparkill, NY and the Order of the Eastern Star, Stony Point Chapter 540, Sparkill, NY. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, was past-president of the Blauvelt-Orangeburg Chapter and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Visiting hours were Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Service was held Friday, February 11, 2022 at 11 AM at the Tappan Reformed Church with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery.
Those who wish may make a donation in Doc’s memory to the Robert Schelin Scholarship Fund, St. Thomas Aquinas College, 125 Rt. 340, Sparkill, NY 10976,
https://www.stac.edu/support-stac/scholarship-month
www.pizzifuneralhome.com
Our deepest sympathies to the Schelin family. Dad was truly a South Orangetown treasure. He will always be the finest example of an individual who has made a significant positive impact on the world. One of his greatest and most treasured works being dear Leslie. An apple that did not fall from the tree, a loving daughter, loyal friend, and dedicated educator. We are so sorry for your loss. Remember he is always near. With deepest condolences, Diane and Peter Politis
Especially to Carol, but also to all of Bob’s family I wish all of my sincere condolences on his passing. I will miss having the chance to dine with the both of you together at our Off Duty restaurant here in Bemont. Kitty and I do however, look forward to sharing a meal together with you Carol, as the warmer weather falls upon us once again. It has been a treasure to know the fullness of Bob’s life in reading his obituary. Within it are things learned that I truly never new. He lived and you shared in his full and wonderful life. Know that I am always faithfully here in Belmont as your fellow BCS classmate, Go golden bears! May he be at peace and may you find peace also in that peace.
Our sympathies to the Schelin family. We are sorry for your loss and will keep you in our hearts and prayers.
Dear Carol and Leslie,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of “Doc”. He was always the man that you met and never forgot the day that you did. He and I had many conversations that I will always remember. God bless you both in this time of mourning.
Dear Carol and Leslie,
We are very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Carol:
Please accept Gwyn’s and my deepest sympathies. The Ford’s Brook Valley will not glow as brightly without him. Know that he will be revered by many here in the Wellsville area as well by the myriads whom he influenced so positively in his work and near home.
Doc was one of the kindest men that I have met.
He was a great mentor to all of us at St. Thomas Aquinas.
My prayers to Carol, Leslie and Family.
May he rest in peace.
c
Yes, Bob was one of those very special persons that we meet in life who always seemed to put into action a basic Christian commandment: Love Thy Neighbor. Bob’s heart seemed, to us, as large as was his body…And, a man always willing to listen, and to spend time with anyone who sought his help. We send our condolences to Carol and his family. While the Tappan Reformed Church and our local communities, along with his family and friends, will miss him greatly, we are sure that the good he did lives on in the hearts and minds of the many people that Bob helped during his lifetime. Amen.