Robert 'Chel' S. Patchel of Cinnaminson passed away suddenly on Feb. 24, 2013 He was 66.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert (a former member of the Palmyra faculty, who served as the French teacher, guidance counselor and administrator), his mother, Florence and granddaughter, Hope Olivia.
Born and raised in Palmyra, Chel was raised in the halls of Palmyra High School. He was a 1964 graduate of Palmyra High School where he earned three varsity letters in Football and Track and Field and was also a member of the National Honor Society. He was a 1968 graduate of Rutgers University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.
After graduation, Chel became a member of the faculty at Palmyra High School from 1968 until his retirement in 2001, the only second generation faculty member. Chel taught general Math, Algebra I and II, Special Education and English, and received Teacher of the Year honors in 1995/96. During his tenure, Chel also served as a coach, receiving the Courier-Post Coach of the Year Award in 1979 for Track, Philadelphia Inquirer Coach of the Year Award in 1989 for Soccer, and from 1985 through 1997 posted the most wins in PHS history for Boys Soccer. His soccer team won the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I Sectional Championship in 1989. In 1979, his Track Team won the Burlington County Freedom Division Championship and the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I Championship with him being named Burlington County Times Coach of the Year. Chel was also a 2009 Inductee into the Palmyra High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chel is survived by his wife Joanne (Stahl) of 20 years; loving four legged companion, Cedar Blu; son, Todd, of Stafford, Va.; grandchildren, soccer players and fishing buddies, Alec, Jacob, Will and Isabella; son, Jeffery (Jamie); grandchildren; Maddie, Colin and Max of Marlton, N.J.; and sister, Floranne Musco of Bodega Bay, Calif.
Chel will be remembered as a loving and generous husband, father, teacher, coach, mentor, friend, fisherman, surfer, snow boarder, and avid Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers Fan.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday March 1 and to attend his funeral service at noon on Friday at Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, N.J. 08077. Burial private at the convince of the family.