Donald E. Kalbach

Donald Edwin Kalbach passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2025.

He was born on December 26, 1935, in Allentown, PA, to Oscar Kalbach and Anna Moyer. After moving to NJ with his mother and stepfather, he graduated from Roselle Park High school in 1953. Don then enlisted in the army and served in Germany during the Korean War. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and later earned a Master's degree in Education. During this time, he met his wife, Joyce Ware, and together they raised three children while living in Bound Brook, NJ.

Don was a career musician who played multiple instruments and sang in various choral groups. He also directed several choruses and instrumental ensembles. His passion as a professional music man was to help others learn how to best perform their chosen instrument. He worked as a music textbook editor at Silver Burdett & Ginn and as a free-lance music arranger. One of Don's most cherished accomplishments was to help found and build up the Raritan Valley Orchestra, which is now the house orchestra at the Brook Arts Center. He and Joyce were also the music directors at The Congregational Church of Bound Brook for many years.

Don is predeceased by his wife, Joyce, who passed away in 2023. He leaves behind his son David and wife Jessica, his daughter Janice and husband Joe, and son Jim and wife Nathalie. He will be missed by his grandchildren Carlos, Jackie and husband Rian, and Jason and girlfriend Bridget, as well as his great-granddaughter Elyse.

Gathering with family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10th, 2025 at Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook.

A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11th at the Congregational Church of Bound Brook, 209 Church Street, Bound Brook.

All arrangements are under the care and supervision of Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home.