Crime & Safety
The Caldwells Mourn Young Fire Chief
Robert Hebrank has died at 48. Services were scheduled for Sunday and Monday, with a procession down the street Monday.
WEST CALDWELL, NJ — Robert Hebrank, the chief of the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, died on Thursday after "a life well lived for 48 years," his family said in an obituary.
Hebrank was born in Montclair to Robert (who died in February) and Jean Habrank, and graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1992, where he was on the soccer and rifle teams, the obituary said. He also met wife Melissa Bonadonna there. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a ROTC scholarship.
Hebrank opened his own business LinkNJ.net, and served as a volunteer with the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, and the West Essex First Aid Squad.
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The cause of death was cancer.
"My brother Rob, you will be missed by so many," wrote Michael Hebrank. "We can't believe how fast this completely unfair evil disease took you but your bravery and bold determination to fight it head on will serve as an inspiration to everyone and be the cornerstone of your legacy. Rest In Peace big brother."
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Other community members mourned the loss. "Robert Hebrank was the definition of selfless," wrote a local volunteer. "Some of the fondest memories from my time serving as an EMT were when Rob was around, especially when I had the opportunity to participate in joint drills/calls with WEFAS & WCVFD. Rob instilled a sense of calm with his demeanor & how he carried himself."
Services were scheduled for Garrett Jones Memorial Home, 45 Roseland Ave., Roseland, NJ on Sunday, Nov. 6 from 1-5 p.m. And a service to celebrate Hebrank's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, Monday at 11.
There will be a procession afterward to the WCVFD down Westville Avenue.
The police sent a message Monday, "Westville Avenue between Roseland Ave and Brookside Avenue will be closed until approximately 12:30 p.m. for a large funeral."
In lieu of flowers, people may donate to the West Caldwell Vol. Firemen's Assoc., PO Box 1511, West Caldwell, NJ.
Read the full obituary here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
