Robert
Mentz Jr.

ROBERT JOSEPH MENTZ JR. was born in Camden NJ on Septmeber 27, 1936 to Robert J. Mentz and his wife, the former Naomi May. He grew up in East Camden, was a graduate of Rutgers University and served in the U.S. Air Force. 

Robert Mentz joined the Camden Police Department around 1961, and was promoted to detective in June of 1967. At that time he was living at 2608 Baird Boulevard.

He retired as a police lieutenant for the City of Camden. He was a 32nd degree Mason, member of the V.F.W., and was Past president of Camden P.B.A., past president of the Superior Officers Association of Camden.

In 1974 Robert Mentz Jr. made his permanent residence in Villas, Cape May County NJ, where he had been summering since 1969. Robert Mentz Jr. passed away in August of 2006.

Fifteen retired Camden City policemen will be honored by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Local 35, Wednesday night at the Police and Fire Club, 1175 Whitman Avenue.

Police Chief William H. Neale, will present awards. The awards will be gold retirement badges mounted in wallets. The men receiving them will have served 20 or more years.

According to Patrolman Robert Mentz, PBA secretary, this is the first time since 1960 that retirement badges have been presented. The ceremonies will follow the organization’s business meeting.

Awards will be made to: Edward Suski, Harry Cattell, Clifford Del Rossi, Frank Gutherman, John Houston, Thomas Kauffman, William Stibi, Leon Feltz, Russell Young, Henry Leutz, George Ellis, Everett Joslin, Ralph Cline, John Kaighn and former Chief Gustav Koerner.

9 Camden Police Earn Promotions

Lt. Howard Clayton, 55, 30 year veteran on Camden's police was named acting captain of the service division yesterday, while five city patrolmen were sworn in as detectives by John T. Odorisio, city clerk.

A sixth patrolman, Isaiah Pitts, 37, of 2920 Berkley Street, unable to attend promotion ceremonies because of illness, will be sworn in on return to duty. He's a 10-year veteran.

As acting captain of the service division, Clayton will head the identification, traffic and communications bureaus.

Patrolmen promoted yesterday were Augustus Balzano, 31, 3165 Merriel Avenue, and David Del Rossi, 27, 1466 Mount Ephraim Avenue, both three year veterans; John Phoenix; 35, 1333 Princess Avenue, Robert Mentz, 30, 2608 Baird Avenue, and Gilbert Upshaw, 36, 1525, Wildwood Avenue, all six-year members of  the force.

The six men will earn $6625 a year as detectives; a $200 increase in present salary. All have been acting as detectives.

Deputy Police Chief William Yeager also announced the appointment of Sgt. Peter Paull, 42, a 16-year man on the force, as acting lieutenant. Paull will be in charge of the communications section.

Frank Senatore, also 42, and an 18-year veteran, will be transferred from the patrol division to the detective division Monday morning, Yeager said .

Present during the swearing in were Police Chief Harold Melleby, Yeager, and Captain John Watkins, head of the detective division..

MENTZ, ROBERT J., JR.
Age 69, of Villas, NJ. Formerly of Camden, NJ. Husband of Betty (nee Kitz); father of Lisa (Bob) Diehle and Robert, III. Also survived by 2 granddaughters, Heather and Kelly Diehle; 2 brothers, James (Cynthia) and Howard Zimmerman; 2 sisters, Dorothy (Ed) Aristone and Carol; sister-in-law Verna Zimmerman, an aunt, Dolores Proud and family and a cousin Evelyn (Warren) Carter. Preceeded in death by his parents, Robert Sr., and Naomi and a brother, Bertram Zimmerman, Jr. and nephew state trooper Bertram Zimmerman, III.
Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial service on Thursday, 1:00 PM at Trinity Methodist Church, Maple & Chapel Ave., Merchantville, NJ. Donations requested to: St. John (Daycare), 351 High St., Westville, NJ 08093. EVOY FUNERAL HOME.

MENTZ, ROBERT J., JR.
Age 69, of Villas died on Saturday at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital. Born in Camden, NJ, he summered here since 1969, and moved here permanently in 1974. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and served in the U.S. Air Force. He retired as a police lieutenant for the City of Camden. He was a 32nd degree Mason, member of the V.F.W., Past president of Camden P.B.A., past president of the Superior Officers Association of Camden. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Betty (nee Kitz); a daughter, Lisa (Bob) Diehle; a son, Robert III; two granddaughters, Heather and Kelly Diehle. He was preceedeed in death by his parents, Robert, Sr. and Naomi and a brother, Bertram Zimmerman, Jr. and a nephew, state trooper Bertram Zimmerman III.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, 1:00 PM at Trinity Methodist Church, Maple & Chapel Ave., Merchantville, NJ. Donations in his memory may be sent to: St. John Daycare, 351 High Street, Westville, NJ 08093. EVOY FUNERAL HOME..