Honorable Richard S. Rebeck

The Honorable Richard S. Rebeck, of North Brunswick, passed away peacefully at age 90 on the morning of January 31, 2024, in the home where he and his wife, Arlene, of 54 years joyfully raised their four beautiful daughters. This date marks the 46th anniversary of his swearing-in as Middlesex County Prosecutor, the position in his long and storied career of which he was most proud and in which he counted some of his greatest professional achievements.

Born and raised in Perth Amboy, Richard graduated from St. Mary’s High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force, honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1957. With funds from the GI Bill, he earned a BA from Seton Hall University, graduating with honors in 1959. He attended Georgetown University Law School on a full scholarship, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Law Journal and earning a JD in 1962. 

He began his law career as a Law Clerk to the Honorable C. Thomas Schettino, Associate Justice of the NJ Supreme Court in Trenton. After working as an Associate with Toolan, Haney & Romond in Perth Amboy, he joined what ultimately became the partnership of Venezia, Nolan & Rebeck in Woodbridge. It was through this partnership that he was introduced to the love of his life and one true partner, Arlene.

As Middlesex County Prosecutor from 1978 to 1983, Richard made a number of significant contributions to the state criminal justice system, including establishing the Hostage Recovery Unit and Arson Task Force. In 1983 he was appointed Judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey, presiding in Middlesex County in the Civil and Family divisions. He retired in 2000, and later served two years on recall from 2011 to 2013.

Richard was a member of the Bar of the State of New Jersey, the US District Court and US Supreme Court. He was a member of the Middlesex County Bar Association and the National District Attorney’s Association. He served as Past President of the NJ County Prosecutors Association and on a number of Supreme Court and Judicial Committees.

A devout Catholic, Richard was a parishioner and trustee of Our Lady of Peace Church in North Brunswick. He was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and served on the Diocesan Review Board for the Diocese of Metuchen until the age of 89. A lifelong pianist and avid patron of the Arts, he served on the Board of the American Repertory Ballet Company in New Brunswick, a city that flourished under his revitalization efforts. He lived a life of faith and service, characterized by humility, and seeking no greater reward than that of a close-knit family.

In the days before his passing, Richard was happy to be at home and surrounded by his wife, Arlene (Santolli) Rebeck; daughters Stephané Rebeck of St. Louis MO and Ship Bottom NJ, Jennifer Murphy (Keith) of Mahopac NY, Alison Black (Jeff) of Stamford CT and Carolyn Allen (Jack) of Plano TX; and his brother Reverend Monsignor Eugene M. Rebeck of Long Beach Township NJ. Lovingly called “Grandjudge”, he will be missed immensely by grandchildren Mary Kate and Rosalie Murphy; Owen, Callan and Declan Black; and Joaquín and Waylon Allen. He is predeceased by his parents Stephen and Mary (Volosin) Rebeck and his son-in-law Richard T. Hiller.

Friends and relatives may call on Sunday, February 4 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Peace Church, 1730 US Route 130 in North Brunswick.  The Funeral Mass, also at Our Lady of Peace, will be held on Monday, February 5 at 10:00 AM.  Burial will follow at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.  Online condolence “guestbook” can be found at www.crabiel.com.