Robert C. Shinn Jr.

Robert C. Shinn Jr.
Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
In office
February 7, 1994 – January 15, 2002
GovernorChristine Todd Whitman
Donald DiFrancesco
Preceded byJeanne Fox
Succeeded byBradley M. Campbell
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 8th district
In office
February 20, 1985 – February 8, 1994
Preceded byC. William Haines
Succeeded byFrancis L. Bodine
Personal details
Born(1937-11-28)November 28, 1937
Mount Holly, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMay 5, 2023(2023-05-05) (aged 85)
Political partyRepublican

Robert C. Shinn Jr. (November 28, 1937 – May 5, 2023) was an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from the 8th Legislative District from 1985 to 1994.[1]

Born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Shinn attended Rancocas Valley Regional High School and Drexel Institute of Technology (since renamed as Drexel University).[2] He left college early to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War as an aircraft mechanic. He served as mayor of Hainesport Township in 1973 and 1974, and took office on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1977, leaving in 1985 to take office in the State Assembly.[3] In February 1994, Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed Shinn Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and he served in that role until January 2002.[4]

Shinn died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 85.[5] Governor Phil Murphy ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Shinn's honor.[6]

  1. ^ "The Governorship - Changing of the Guard - The Whitman Team". The New York Times. 1994-01-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  2. ^ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 2001, p. 571. E. J. Mullin, 2001."Mr. Shinn was born in Mount Holly on Nov. 28, 1937. He graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School and attended Drexel Institute of Technology."
  3. ^ Molnar, Linda. "New Jersey Q & A: Robert C. Shinn Jr.; New Approach at Environmental Dept.", The New York Times, July 10, 1994. Accessed August 8, 2022. "Born: Nov. 28, 1937, in Mount Holly. Education: Attended Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia. Career: Left college to serve in Korea as an Army aircraft and helicopter mechanic, 1956 to 1958; founder and president, Material Handling Systems in Haines port; holds two U.S. mechanical patents; Hainesport Mayor, 1973 to 1974; Burlington County Freeholder, 1977 to 1985 (served twice as Freeholder director); vice chairman, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, 1978 to 1985; State Assemblyman, 1985 to 1994."
  4. ^ "Former Commissioners". Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  5. ^ Wildstein, David. "Bob Shinn, ex-DEP commissioner, assemblyman, dies at 85". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Wildstein, David. "Murphy orders flags lowered in honor of Bob Shinn". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 17 May 2023.