I am the mother-in-law of Scott, Bob's son. I met Bob for the first time when he and Joan came to California after Scott and our daughter, Ginny, were engaged. Ginny and Scott arranged for my husband Alan and me to meet Bob and Joan at Scott's San Francisco apartment, followed by a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant. My first impressions of Bob were that of a man who drew his energy from people, could talk to anyone about anything, and loved his family with all his heart. After that evening with Bob and Joan, I had absolutely no doubt that our daughter was marrying into the most wonderful of families.
Through the years, despite the geographic distance which separated us, Alan and I had the pleasure of being with Bob and Joan several times, including the wedding of Scott and Ginny in 2002, and the baptisms of our mutual grandsons, Matthew and Luke, in 2006 and 2008. In the year 2012, Alan and I took Bob and Joan up on their invitation to visit them in New York, and we spent a most wonderful three days with them in Cooperstown. Bob and Joan were the perfect hosts, making certain we saw and experienced all that Cooperstown and the area had to offer. But what I remember most about that visit are the conversations the four of us enjoyed. We covered every topic imaginable, thoroughly enjoying the fun, camaraderie, and the graciousness of Bob and Joan.
My mother had the following anonymous quote in her kitchen for many years, and I think it applies perfectly to the life Bob lived.
"When God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart – not the head."
Rest in peace, Bob. I am very happy we were, and still are, family.