Councilman, educator dies at 73 Friends, colleagues recall Richard Reichenbach BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Richard Reichenbach SOUTH RIVER - Former South River Borough Councilman Richard Reichenbach passed away after a battle with cancer Friday. Reichenbach died at JFK Medical Center in Edison Friday at the age of 73. South River Councilman Anthony Razzano told the Sentinel that Reichenbach was diagnosed with lung cancer and then bladder cancer. The Sayreville Board of Education held a moment of silence in tribute to the late educator, who served the Sayreville school district for 34 years. Reichenbach retired as vice principal at Sayreville War Memorial High School and he also coached football and baseball in the Sayreville public school system. Reichenbach was born and raised in South River, where he was educated in the borough's public school system. He would go on to earn a bachelor's degree from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and a master's degree in supervision and administration from Seton Hall University, South Orange. Reichenbach served as chairman of the South River Planning Board from 1976 to 2000. He served on the South River Borough Council as a Democrat from 1969 to 1974. Reichenbach was defeated in his bid for re-election last year but could still be seen in the audience at council meetings this year. Razzano, who won a seat on the council in last year's election, had words of appreciation and admiration for Reichenbach at Democratic headquarters in November. "I could not have had a better mentor on the campaign trail than Richard Reichenbach," Razzano said, "a fine councilman and a fine human being." Fellow South River Borough Councilman Raymond Eppinger said that serving with Reichenbach was a privilege. "I have had the pleasure of serving with Rich for a number of years on the Planning Board, as well as on the council, "Eppinger said. "I am saddened by his passing. He always had South River at heart." Reichenbach demonstrated his skills as a leader through his service to the community, including when he was chairman of the Planning Board, Eppinger said. "There was not a person who ran a better meeting," Eppinger said. "He was an example of how meetings should be run." Councilwoman JoAnne Dembinski said that Reichenbach's service to the community was significant. "He was involved in many committees over the years," Dembinski said. "I always admired him for his morals and ethics. I think he genuinely cared about the borough and its residents." South River Council President David Sliker told the Sentinel that Reichenbach will be missed. "Mr. Reichenbach certainly was a dear friend," Sliker said. "He was always a gentleman and he was always fair to everyone. He was a valuable asset to the community and he will certainly be missed. The community lost a good leader, somebody committed to the community for over 30 years." Reichenbach was predeceased by his wife, Doris Saylor Reichenbach. He is survived by his two grown children, Christine Armstrong and Richard Reichenbach.