May 1966: Students of Lazar Middle School gathered for an Arbor Day assembly and tree-planting ceremony under the direction of Mrs. Harold Newell. During the program, Melney Van Riper recited the history of Arbor Day; Susan Yates presented the New Jersey Arbor Day law; Deborah Bahto read an Arbor Day poem; and Lloyd Kitchell delivered the Central School Arbor Day proclamation. Pictured, from left: Charles Tasco, Harry Hermann, Michael Paslawskyj, Mr. Robert Stafford, Frances Sashenosky, David Bott, Susan Cullen, Janell Teubner, and Consuelo Menendez.
Dr. Robert O. StaffordPhoto Credit: Montville Township Public Schools
May 1966: Students of Lazar Middle School gathered for an Arbor Day assembly and tree-planting ceremony under the direction of Mrs. Harold Newell. During the program, Melney Van Riper recited the history of Arbor Day; Susan Yates presented the New Jersey Arbor Day law; Deborah Bahto read an Arbor Day poem; and Lloyd Kitchell delivered the Central School Arbor Day proclamation. Pictured, from left: Charles Tasco, Harry Hermann, Michael Paslawskyj, Mr. Robert Stafford, Frances Sashenosky, David Bott, Susan Cullen, Janell Teubner, and Consuelo Menendez.
Dr. Robert O. StaffordPhoto Credit: Montville Township Public Schools
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MONTVILLE, NJ – Few educators have dedicated more of their lives to Montville Township than Dr. Robert O. Stafford. A World War II veteran, educator, and community volunteer, Stafford spent more than 25 years helping shape the township's schools while serving in numerous civic organizations throughout the community and Morris County.
Stafford's story in Montville began in 1932, when he moved to the township with his family and attended Montville Township Public Schools. Following his graduation, Stafford served in World War II as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps, where he saw action during the Okinawa campaign. After his military service, Stafford continued his aviation training at Maxwell Field’s Army Flying School before enrolling at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
At Tuskegee Institute, Stafford earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Science while also participating in several campus leadership organizations. He served as president of the campus NAACP chapter, junior class treasurer, and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa, the professional education fraternity.
After completing his undergraduate education, Stafford returned to Montville Township and began building a career in the school district where he had once been a student. He started as a substitute teacher before accepting a full-time sixth-grade teaching position at Central School in 1964. Four years later, he joined the mathematics department at Montville Township High School, where he remained for the rest of his teaching career.
As his career progressed, Stafford assumed increasing leadership responsibilities. He became an administrative assistant at Montville Township High School in 1971 and was appointed assistant principal the following year. While serving in these roles, Stafford continued his education, earning additional certifications and advanced degrees, including a master's degree in Administration and Supervision and a doctorate from Walden University.
Beyond his administrative duties, Stafford remained committed to improving education throughout the district. He contributed to curriculum development through the Mathematics and Social Studies Curriculum Committees, participated on the Middle States Steering Committee, and helped represent educators as president of both the Montville Township Education Association and the district's Administrative Association.
One of the most notable periods of Stafford's career came in 1975 during a leadership transition at Montville Township High School. Following the resignation of Principal Robert Dicker, Stafford was appointed acting principal where he served in that capacity until December 1975, when the Board of Education appointed Clifford Keezer as the school's permanent principal.
The decision drew considerable attention within the community. Newspaper accounts reported that residents hoped Stafford would continue as principal, with students organizing an assembly to express their support. During the assembly, Stafford received a standing ovation, with approximately 600 students also signing petitions supporting his candidacy. Despite the community's disappointment with the outcome, Stafford remained as vice principal and continued serving the district.
As Student Activities Coordinator, Stafford helped establish Project Link-Up, a program that connected high school students with senior citizens through volunteer service and community outreach. The program reflected his belief that education extended beyond the classroom and into the community.
Outside the public schools, Stafford was active in civic organizations throughout Montville and Morris County. He served on the Montville Township Juvenile Conference Committee, the Youth Resources Committee, the First Aid Squad, and the Montville Township Drug Abuse Council. He was appointed to the Girl Scout Council, served on the Board of Trustees of Riverside Hospital, was a member of the Montville Rotary Club, and served as the Morris County director of the Educational Opportunity Fund at County College of Morris.
Stafford continued as Vice Principal until his retirement in June 1986. By that time, he had spent more than a quarter-century as a teacher, administrator, and community leader. Today, Stafford's contributions continue to be recognized at Montville Township High School, where the school's auditorium bears the name Dr. Robert O. Stafford Auditorium.
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