Robert C Shinn Jr.

Robert C. Shinn, Jr. of Hainesport, passed away at his home on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was 85. Born in Mount Holly, Bob was a graduate of Rancocas Valley Regional High School and attended Drexel. He served in the US Army during Korea. Mr. Shinn was a lifelong politician and public servant. His distinguished career spanned more than four decades, serving the public at multiple levels of government. During that time, Shinn made immeasurable contributions to safeguarding and improving environmental quality, deeply and positively influencing countless people along the way. He was the former Mayor of Hainesport Township in 1973-1974, served as a member of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1977-1985, serving twice as Freeholder Director. Bob was a former Member of the NJ General Assembly from the 8th district from 1985-1994 and former Commissioner of the NJ DEP from 1994-2002 under Governor Christie Todd Whitman. He helped lead the “Environmental Commissioners of the 50 States” (ECOS) organization for the entire country in driving National environmental public policy in the 1990s. His knowledge of the environment and vision in addressing climate change and environmental results-based management (25 years ago) were unparalleled. Shinn’s accomplishments at DEP included the creation and implementation of a Geographic Information System-based electronic permitting system called the New Jersey Environmental Management System (NJEMS); creation of the New Jersey Greenhouse Gas Sustainability Action Plan; and development of a National Environmental Performance Partnership System Agreement, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Shinn’s interest in the environment started in childhood. He grew up on a farm in Hainesport. He spent summers plying the waters of Barnegat Bay on a small boat and enjoying the area’s wildlife. He worked in the summers from about 7th grade into high school cleaning up around a dock area on Long Beach Island. He once recalled a vivid memory of the oily wreckage of ships torpedoed by German U-boats washing up along local beaches during and after World War II. Shinn’s early influences and impressions evolved into strong interests as a public servant in water quality, solid waste management, farmland protection and preservation of the Pinelands. As a township committeeman and then as freeholder, Shinn saw the seemingly endless streams of trash trucks from Philadelphia on the way to landfills in Burlington County and resolved to do something about it. Shinn helped negotiate an agreement in which Philadelphia and Burlington County would recycle more waste and Philadelphia would ultimately stop sending its trash to Burlington County. This led to a countywide trash management system and construction of the Burlington County Resource Recovery Facility. He also spearheaded county bond referendums to preserve farmland and ecologically sensitive areas of the Pinelands National Reserve, efforts that have led to the protection of tens of thousands of acres in the state’s largest county. He also served as vice chairman of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission from 1977 to 1985. In addition to politics and environmental issues, Mr. Shinn was founder and president of Material Handling System, S2 Concepts, and Hollyford Enterprises, Inc. He was always busy tinkering around and held two US mechanical patents. He was also a member and Past President of the Mount Holly Rotary Club. He enjoyed renovating old houses and his “blue barn”. Bob was completely down to earth and treated everyone with dignity and respect. He enjoyed speaking and joking with everyone. Bob is survived by his wife Paula of Hainesport; his daughter Debbie Shinn of Delran; step-daughter Jody Meeks of Woodland Township and step-son Scott Wiedemann of Atco; a grandson Dave Meeks. He is also survived by his sister Michelle Shinn, a nephew Nigel Encinas, and his former wife Barbara Shinn of Mount Laurel. A Viewing will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 12pm – 3pm at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly. A Service will follow at 3pm. Contributions in his memory may be made to Rancocas Valley Regional High School for a scholarship that will be started in his name.

Robert C Shinn Jr.

November 28, 1937 - May 5, 2023