Man Who Ran Meal Service For Homeless Killed By PSE&G Truck

Robert Armbruster could not cook. But he did not let that stop him from feeding people.

Armbruster, who ran a meal service for the homeless out of his Bergenfield church for 25 years, died Sunday after he was struck by a PSE&G truck while crossing a Bergenfield street Friday, police said. He also was a longtime journalist for The Record and The Star-Ledger.

Armbruster, 76, was in his hometown Friday just before 10:30 a.m. crossing S. Washington Avenue when he was hit by a PSE&G truck, said Bergenfield Police Capt. Mustafa Rabboh.

"He was a remarkable man, truly one of the most extraordinary people you could know," said Bill Armbruster, one on his four surviving brothers. "He was one of the kindest, generous, and friendliness people could you ever meet. If he walked by a homeless person on the street he would give them change. If he didn't have change, he would explain to them why he couldn't give them any."

Armbruster ran a meal program for the homeless at St. John's The Evangelist for 25 years.

"He didn't know how to cook, but he joked that he fed more people who didn't know how to cook than anyone because he would line up so may volunteers to feed them," Bill Armsbruster said. "I'm grateful to have Bob as a part of my life."

He traveled often to the Philippines with his brother on trips and volunteered to help people after the 2004 tsunami. He also collected books and donated them to seminaries there.

Armsbruster would have turned 77 in two weeks, his brother said.

Armsbruster graduated from Fordham Prep high school in 1959 and St. Peter's College in 1963. He joined the National Guard and served six months of active duty.

He worked for The Record as a reporter and a longtime copy editor with The Star-Ledger. He retired in 2006.

"He loved working for The Star-Ledger," his brother said.

In addition to his brothers, Armsbruster is survived by 10 nieces, three nephews, and 15 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The truck that hit Armsbruster was trying to turn left onto S. Washington Avenue when Armbruster was struck, Rabboh said.

Armbruster suffered a serious head injury and he was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, the captain said.

Rabboh confirmed Monday morning that Armbruster died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

No charges will be filed against the truck's driver and no summonses issued, Rabboh said.

"This is an accident and an unfortunate tragedy," Rabboh said. "On behalf of the entire Bergenfield Police Department family, our sincerest condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr. Armbruster."

Another of Armbruster's brother, George posted on Facebook about his brother following his death.

"Bob was an extremely special person, one who was very kind and generous," George Armbruster said on Facebook shortly after his brother died. "Everyone loved him."

Armbruster's friends spoke online of their memories of him and expressed their condolences to his family.

"No one kinder than Bob. We spoke by phone recently and I looked forward to seeing and working on an issue with him that he had called me about," Gerry Drummond said on Facebook.

Armbruster was a member of Knights of Columbus St. John's Council No. 1345 of Bergenfield-Dumont.

"Our deepest sympathy to the Armbruster family on the passing of brother Bob," said Larry Rivera. "He’s well loved by everybody especially by our Filipino Community and our Knights of Columbus Council No. 1345."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Robert Armbruster, second from left, and his five brothers, from left: George, Joe, Bill and Jim. (Courtesy of Bill Armbruster)