Bob was born May 15, 1959 to Edward G. Oetheimer and Joan K. (Coakley) Oetheimer. He was raised in suburban Bergen County, New Jersey. Bob attended Our Lady of Mercy grammar school in Park Ridge, St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, and graduated with a B.A. degree from Boston University in 1981.
As a child Bob and his older brother Richard played sports nonstop, and in organized youth sports Bob was a standout in both baseball, ringing up strikeouts and pitching no-hitters on the mound, and in basketball, often out-scoring the other team by himself. Although his active sports career ended with high school, he maintained a lifelong love of sports, and he and his father often watched New England Patriots games together. Another childhood highlight was visits, family gatherings and vacations at the Jersey Shore or Cape Cod with his many cousins on both sides of the family.
Bob relocated from New Jersey to Massachusetts as an adult to remain close to family, and he lived for many years in a neighborhood off Hancock Street in North Quincy. He especially enjoyed spending time at his parents’ Cape Cod home on Kelley’s Pond in West Dennis, often in the company of his brother Richard, sister Janet, their spouses and his niece and nephews, whom he greatly adored and who likewise adored him; one as a child titled a poem about their Uncle Bob “Just Like A Kid”, and the title certainly fit. Bob also greatly loved his English Springer Spaniel dogs Ginger and Janet’s dog Maggie.
Bob spent many professional years working as a paralegal at the real estate law firm Gilmartin Magence LLP in Boston and Newton, Massachusetts. Everyone in the office loved “Bobby O” and they will miss him, and Bob greatly enjoyed the office camaraderie.
Bob was a caring and thoughtful son, brother and uncle and was greatly loved by his family. He was empathetic, saw the good in everyone, and enjoyed life’s small pleasures. He had a quick wit and wry sense of humor and his observations often brought smiles and chuckles.
Bob was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes at age 13 and he waged a lifelong battle against the disease, which he managed effectively and without ever a complaint.
Bob is survived by his brother Richard and wife Jill of Needham, MA, his sister Janet Coppinger and husband Glenn, also of Needham, his niece Kate Oetheimer and his nephews Chris Oetheimer and Kevin Coppinger. He was predeceased by both parents.
Bob will be buried with his parents at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Dennis following a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s honor may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), P.O. Box 37920, Boone, IA 50037.
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