Richard Valentine Ehlert Jr.

Richard Valentine Ehlert Jr.,95, passed Saturday, April 25, 2020. He was a Secaucus, N.J., native and longtime resident of Milltown, N.J. Since 2010, he has lived with his son's family in Pittstown, N.J.

From 1943 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy. He and the crew of LST-495 were active participants in the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. LST-495 would later serve in the Pacific Theatre, where he and his comrades would witness the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. He would be recalled by the U.S. Navy to serve during the Korean War on board an LCN as the engineer.

After completing his service, Dick met and married Anne, who was the love of his life and the sister of Tony, a shipmate. He made many lifelong friends in Anne's hometown of Ossining, N.Y. Anne and Dick settled in Milltown, N.J., and raised two boys, Robert and Thomas. Anne had passed away four years ago.

Richard would spend many years as a Boy Scout leader where he distinguished himself as one of the finest in New Jersey and throughout the nation. He continued to give back to the Maritime Services as a member of the Navy League of the U.S. (NLUS) and specifically the Central Jersey Council.
Based on his wishes, Richard's ashes will be commended to the sea at a future date in a manner fitting and proper of a fine Navy sailor.