Robert Justin Hersh

Born in Englewood, NJ on February 6, 1987 alongside his twin sister, they were adopted at birth by loving parents Martin and Janet Hersh. His childhood was spent in Bayside, Queens where children walked to school, played outside, and grew up knowing their neighbors. He attended the same elementary and middle school as his father and participated in beloved community activities – sledding in the winter, riding bicycles everywhere, and swimming all summer long at the Windsor Park pool. Before he could read or write, he took an interest in building and construction. Every childhood toy was a block set, and it was clear to all those around him that he was destined to be an architect.

Robert relocated with his family to Las Vegas in 2001 after annual vacations with his aunt, uncle, and cousin - the “LA Hershes.” Robert attended Palo Verde High School where he graduated with honors in 2005. He started college that fall at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and finished his BS in Architecture in 2009. Upon graduation, Robert enrolled in the Master of Architecture program and finished his coursework in 2011. He became a licensed architect in the state of Nevada in June of 2017. Robert’s experience in project types ranged from K-12, higher education, retail, mixed-use, religious structures, and large-scale hospitality. He has been lauded for his design and academic achievements. His work included Desert Diamonds Baseball Complex at Mountain’s Edge Regional Park in Clark County; Earl N. Jenkins Elementary School, a prototype re-site for the Clark County School District; and the Clark County Regional Justice Center Complex Litigation Courtroom Conversion in Downtown Las Vegas. Robert’s career culminated with his position as Associate Principal at TSK, his final project being one he was most proud and passionate about - the new Kirk Kerkorian Medical Education Building for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Robert was as profoundly committed to his profession as he was to his friends, family and community. He was a valued brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and cherished the close relationships he forged with other Jewish members of the UNLV community. He was a good citizen and looked for ways to give back - volunteering on the UNLV Alumni Board for the College of Fine Arts, serving as a mentor for architecture students, and donating his time to help feed others through the Just One Project. To his friends and family, RJ was steadfast, smart, funny, honest, and kind. While RJ was widely loved by a devoted circle of friends, his most cherished relationship was with his twin sister, Feli. While their life-long competitiveness and sibling antics were the stuff of legends, their unwavering commitment to each other is what made them the best versions of themselves.

Robert has often been described as a bright light– the literal translation of his name. Now that RJ is gone, those who now must live in the absence of his ethereal light mourn him with heavy hearts.

Robert is preceded in death by his father, Martin, and his grandparents, Roy, Lillian, Rachel, William, April, and Stan. He is survived by his sister, Felicia, his mother, Janet, and his Uncle Mike, Aunt Donna, Uncle Bruce, Cousin Adam, and cherished pup-nephew, Ragnar.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Hersh family.