STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Robert V. Koeth Jr., 58, of Long Beach, L.I., a native Staten Islander and retired firefighter, died June 4 in Key West, Fla.
Born in Concord, he graduated from St. Sylvester's Elementary School in his hometown community and from Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood.
He settled in Long Beach 16 years ago.
He worked at the former Herman's Sporting Goods on Staten Island before becoming a city Correction officer in 1979, and worked at the Brooklyn House of Detention.
Four years later, Mr. Koeth continued the family tradition and joined the Fire Department alongside his father and younger brother. He was stationed at Engine Co. 225 in East New York and promoted to fire marshal in 1992. He was stationed in Far Rockaway when he retired from the department in 2005.
Mr. Koeth often mentored younger firefighters and was a first responder to the World Trade Center site after the terrorist attacks of Feb. 26, 1993, and Sept. 11, 2001.
He was active in many of the Fire Department's groups including: Columbia Association, Steuben Association, Emerald Society, and New York City Fire Riders Motorcycle Club, established in 1985 to unite firefighters and promote safe motorcycling.
He enjoyed serving as the grill master at Fire Department reunions and family get-togethers. He also loved to ski and travel.
During his high school years, Mr. Koeth was active with Troop 85 in Boy Scouts as an Eagle Scout and Chief of Lodge within the Order of the Arrow.
"My dad was an incredible role model who taught me a lot about life," said his son, Robert (Bobby) Koeth III.
In addition to his son, Robert, surviving are his wife, Patricia Mansfield; his daughter, Lisa; his parents, Robert and Theresa (Tess) Koeth; two brothers, James and Edward, and two sisters, Donna Fisher and Lynn Bocomazo.
The memorial mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Sylvester's R.C. Church, Concord. Funeral arrangements, which include cremation, are being handled by the Dean-Lopez Funeral Home in Key West.
