Jerome Wyckoff

In Sunday, April 30 I attended the Memorial Service celebrating the life of Jerry Wyckoff.  Jerry, founder and charter member of the North Jersey Chapter of ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) and a personal friend, died peacefully on April 26th after a long battle against cancer. His last evening was spent singing favorite songs with fellow Orpheus chorus member and friend, Jack Morrison.  Jerry celebrated his 95th birthday in March.

Jerry was the author of several books on geology. He published READING THE EARTH, Landforms in the Making, Adastra West, Inc.,Mahwah, NJ, in 1999.He was a staunch supporter of the New Jersey Environmental Lobby from its beginning in the 1970’s and, most recently, actively involved in preserving the New Jersey Highlands.

Local hikers reported Jerry changed the way they looked at rocks when they attended his interesting geology hikes. Since moving to Cedar Crest Jerry enjoyed weekly scrabble games at Cedar Crest. In spite of being in great pain he did not complain but remained upbeat and was an interesting conversationalist, particularly interested in what was happening on environmental issues.

It was he who I can thank for steering me to North Jersey ADK when I was looking for a hiking club in 1971. Most recently, Jerry was a valuable resource as I wrote a history of the First 20 Years of North Jersey ADK.

After Jerry moved to Cedar Crest June Slade and I organized several luncheon get-togethers with other ADK friends. Jerry insisted we go to the Timbers in Oakland where he enjoyed a dry martini and touted their famous Reuben sandwiches. (He was right. They are the best!)   Jerry Wyckoff’s passing is great loss to North Jersey’s  environmental community particularly in its endeavors to preserve open space.                                                                          Betty Heald

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