Dudley William Atkinson

Dudley William Atkinson, born on April 3, 1949 in Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home in Harmony Township on Thursday, July 30, 2020 surrounded by his loving wife and family. 

Much loved and cherished by all, Dudley is survived by his wife, Kristin Atkinson, of Harmony Township, New Jersey; his sister, Sheila Singer of Felton, Delaware; his nephew and niece, Brent and Ashley Singer of Delaware; his father and mother-in-law William and Terri Wright of Lopatcong Township; cousins Wayne and Sharon Rineer of New Castle, Delaware, and Heather Baum and Joseph Mazak of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Dudley proudly served in the United States Air Force from April 1, 1970 through June 2, 1972.

Dudley received his Bachelor of Arts in Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology.  Additionally, he earned a Master’s Degree in both Social work, and Social and Public Policy, from Bryn Mawr University.  Dudley was employed by Rutgers University as a licensed clinical social worker at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, New Jersey. Dudley and Kristin spent 7 happy years in Gold River, California where he worked at Folsom State Prison. Dudley loved California, but he and Kristin returned to New Jersey to be closer to family.

While Kristin and Dudley had no children of their own they had very special bonds with nieces and nephews, Jeffrey, Angelina, Gabriel, Emilee, Adelynn, Devin, Brooklyn, Johanna and Chase.

Dudley was a kind, loving man with a gentle soul.  He loved music and films, literature and philosophy.  He was an avid audiophile, always seeking the best quality of sound to fill the house with music.  Most importantly, however, was his deep faith.  In his last months, Dudley was without fear. He told Kristin that he was sad only for those that he was leaving behind, but at peace that he was going home.  He told her to take care of his Adelynn and that he would wait for them there.

Calling Hours are scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020, from 9 to 11 AM at the Finegan Funeral Home, 302 Heckman Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, with a Memorial Service to directly follow. Covid-19 Restrictions will apply.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research, via lustgarten.org/donate.