Obituary of Nathaniel Forrest Bedford

DENVILLE---Col. Nathaniel Forrest "Buz" Bedford (U.S. Army, retired), age 93, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Buz was born in Jacksonville FL May 21, 1918, to Nathaniel Lynn and Ethel Nicola de la Nusha Bedford. He exemplified all of the qualities that earned his contemporaries the sobriquet "The Greatest Generation," and had expected to preside over the Mtn. Lakes Memorial Day Parade in his U.S Army dress uniform as Grand Marshal. Buz was raised in St. Petersburg, FL, summering in Martha's Vineyard. He was an alumnus of the Lawrenceville School (1935), Princeton University (1939), and Columbia University School of Law (1947). At Princeton he played fullback on the undefeated 1937 and '38 150-lb football teams, he was a three-year, first-team All-American selection; and graduated with Honors in Economics. In 1937, he cruised an Alaskan coast summer patrol at the personal invitation of Coast Guard Commander (later Admiral) Edward "Iceberg" Smith. At Columbia, he joined the NY National Guard, called to active duty in January 1941. He married Roberta (Robin) Lelia Skinner on June 21, 1941. After Pearl Harbor, Buz transferred to the Signal Corps, graduating OCS in April 1942. He commanded a supply depot (aviation) in New Guinea; later he was Signal Supply Officer for the invasion of Luzon, and was awarded a Bronze Star medal in support of combat in the Philippine Islands. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Lt. Colonel in 1962. Buz was a member of the Morris County (NJ), New Jersey and New York bar associations, and held the highest rating of AV by Martindale Hubbell. His successful career, focused mostly on trust and estates, began in 1947. In 1952 he formed his own firm, Tonnele & Bedford; succeeded by Jillson, Bedford and Hoppen. He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1959, related to the successful pursuit of a class action on behalf of WWII veterans against the Veteran's Administration, Emmet v. Whittier. Joining the NJ bar in 1972, he served Boonton Twsp. as municipal attorney from 1975-1984. He retired from the law in 2007, age 89. Buz and Roberta settled in Mountain Lakes, NJ in 1947. Buz was active in local civic and social affairs: he was a Rotarian (president of District 747, 1978-79); served on the Board of Health (president); and was a dedicated Republican. A devoted 50 year member of the Mtn. Lakes Congregational Church and the Mountain Lakes Club, he also enjoyed sailing his Sunfish with the Mtn. Lakes Sailing Association, and interviewed scores of Princeton applicants under the auspices of the Princeton Club of Northwest New Jersey. Buz had a great memory, humor and wit, and loved telling stories and jokes rich with details. A lifelong sportsman, his most valued moments were sharing his love of fishing, skiing, swimming, sailing and golf with his children and grandchildren. His kind and generous spirit leaves a permanent imprint in the lives of all who knew him. Buz was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years, Roberta Skinner Bedford and daughter, Dianne Bedford Marsden. He is survived by his children, Dr. Robert F. (Faith); Dorothy (Rush Taggart III); and Bonnie Bedford Park (Peter); ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Granddaughter Lisa Marsden Vandling (Chris) and her family regularly brought joy and laughter to Buz. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 26 at 11am at the Community Church of Mountain Lakes, 48 Briarcliff Road. His remains will be interred at the Church's Memorial Garden. Memorial contributions may be directed to Rotary International Scholarships