Jeffrey Ronald Rivers

Obituary: Mr. Jeffrey Ronald Rivers, 56, of Columbia, SC, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 8, 2018. He was born June 9, 1961 in Camden, NJ. He attended Edgewood Regional Senior High School in Atco, NJ, graduating with the Class of 1978. He obtained his Associate of Applied Science degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University in 1982 and had achieved the Dean's List. He believed in fitness, and working out was his passion. If he wasn't pumping iron, he was doing handstand push-ups or any number of muscle strengthening exercises. He also had a voracious love for animals to the extent he'd suffer his allergies to be surrounded by them. He also volunteered in his free time at the animal shelter in Columbia. He had just recently retired from working and was living out his personal dream of being a Traveller. He was fond of devouring books, the NY Times Crossword puzzles, and the exquisite intricacies of Law. He was an eternal child, ever youthful and exuberant. He loved every child out there, he was their "Super Da." He should have been so many things in this life, but he was a good friend to those he loved, a hard worker, a joker and a smoker, and totally buff until the end. He is preceded in death by: his parents, Ronald and Phyllis (Rivers) Gamber; one sister, Jennifer Gamber; three brothers, Christopher, Douglas, and Gregory; and the mother of his children, Karen (Slomick) Henderson. He is survived by: daughters, Kristen (Todd) Brown, of Nashville, TN, Barbara (Chris) Tallent, of Mint Hill, NC, and Caitlin Rivers, of Memphis, TN; mother: Joan Gamber; sisters, Cathie (Fred Cooper) Gamber, of Miramar, FL, Becky (Robert Burns) St Clair, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Phyllis Gamber, of Sunrise, FL, Amy Gamber, of Orlando, FL, Beth (Todd) Godwin, of Gainesville, FL; brothers, Ronald (Silvia) Gamber, of Hollywood, FL, Andrew (Holly) Gamber, of San Diego, CA, Jonathan Rivers, of Sunrise, FL, Kenny (Brenda) Gamber, of Davie, FL, Brendan Rivers, of Morgantown, WV, Sean (Laura) Rivers, of Cumberland, MD; four grandchildren, Zoey Cooley, Christopher Tallent, Jr, Emily Tallent, Nathaniel Tallent, all of Mint Hill, NC; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. Services: A private memorial service was held at the home of his family in Florida. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity - his choice would be a homeless program in your area.