Robert Van Houten is a lifelong resident of Fair Lawn who served in the United States Navy and was assigned to a Torpedo Boat Patrol Squadron in the South Pacific during World War II.
Chief Van Houten began his service to the Fair Lawn community as one of the original members of the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 1948. He also served as the second president of the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Chief Van Houten began his career in law enforcement as a police officer on November 1, 1950. He worked his way through the ranks in patrol and as a detective. As a detective, Van Houten was on temporarily assigned to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. During that time, he participated in over 50 homicide investigations county wide.
Robert Van Houten was promoted to Sergeant in 1964, Lieutenant in 1972, and Captain in 1977.
On November 29, 1979, Captain Robert Van Houten was appointed as Chief of the Fair Lawn Police Department serving as the 3rd Chief in Fair Lawn’s history. He retired from the Department on July 1, 1987 after serving 37 years.
Chief Van Houten currently resides in Fair Lawn and recently celebrated his 101st Birthday.