BERGENFIELD — Bill Armbruster remembers his brother Bob as a man who tried to achieve social justice in the world by helping the homeless through his work with his hometown church and with a Bergen County charity.

Which is why Armbruster, a Bergenfield native who now lives in Jersey City, is donating $20,000 to create a scholarship for young people following in his older brother's path at St. Peter's University in Jersey City. Robert graduated from the university in 1963.

"I figured due to Bob's commitment to social justice, why not call it the Robert Armbruster Social Justice Scholarship, and have it to go to a student with a social justice minor, someone who is very active in community service," said Bill Armbruster, a 1971 graduate of St. Peter's.

Robert Armbruster was 76 years old when he died in September 2018 from injuries sustained when he was hit by a PSE&G truck while crossing a street in Bergenfield.

Robert, who was single, worked for many years as a writer and editor, including stints at The Record in the 1960s and 1970s as well as The Star-Ledger, the Wall Street Journal and the Advocate, the weekly newspaper published by the Archdiocese of Newark.

He was also active at his church, St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield, where he oversaw the meal program for the homeless and was involved with Family Promise of Bergen County, an organization serving homeless families.

His brother said the scholarship will be awarded each year to a sophomore, junior or senior student who is a social justice minor or active in community service.

Bill Armbruster donated his share of the money he inherited from his brother's estate, which came out to a little over $20,000, and other donations have come in to the fund.

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He hopes that the scholarship endowment will grow to at least $50,000, with an amount equaling 5% to be awarded to a deserving student.

"I just think it's a very appropriate way to honor Bob, who was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known," Armbruster said.

How to contribute to the scholarship fund

Visit the St. Peter's website — saintpeters.edu — and click the "Give" tab on the far right of the black bar at the top. Pick an amount and designate the "Robert Armbruster Social Justice Scholarship" in the drop-down.

Alternatively, write a check to St. Peter's University, put Robert Armbruster Social Justice Scholarship in the memo field, and mail it to Linda Moore, Office of Advancement, St. Peter's University, 2641 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul