Obituary of Robert Carl von Sothen

Robert C. von Sothen, 82, died on Thursday, December 11 at Watchung Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Watchung. Mr. von Sothen was born in Schenectady, NY , grew up in Syracuse and lived in North Plainfield for over 50 years before moving to Watchung 2 years ago. Prior to his retirement in 1978, Mr. von Sothen was a Tax Consultant for 25 years for NJ Bell/ Verizon in Newark. Mr. von Sothen graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. He was a member of many organizations including the Sales Tax and Public Utility Committee of National Tax Association, The Education Advisory Committee of the International Association of Assessing Officers, New Jersey Governors Tax Policy Commission, New Jersey Municipal Assessors Association, Board of Directors Newark Watershed Development Corporation, Municipal Government Committee-Newark Chamber of Commerce, and was the Chairman of Taxation, Member of Executive Committee, N.J. Taxpayers Association. Mr. von Sothen served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield. He loved his summer home in the Berkshires. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth (Stover) von Sothen of Watchung; a son, Peter A. von Sothen and his wife Marian of Palatine, IL; two daughters, Anne von Sothen of Arlington Heights, IL, Sue Marrese and her husband Peter of Berkeley Heights; a brother, David von Sothen and his wife Anne of Washington, D.C.; and 3 grandchildren, Steven von Sothen, Karen von Sothen and Robert Marrese. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung with Rev. Robert Martin officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Visitation will be on December 14th from 2-4 & 7-9 at the funeral home.