Robert Leon Orbach

Bob Orbach was born September 25, 1920 and passed away peacefully on February 18, 2012 with his daughters by his side. He was the only son of Mildred Paul Orbach and Syrl C. Orbach. He was a very proud lifetime resident of Oklahoma City. He graduated from Classen High School in 1938. He attended The University of Illinois for 2 years and graduated from The University of Oklahoma in 1942. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Shortly before leaving to fight in Patton’s 3rd Army in World War II he married Harriette Goldfain who he had known since early childhood. This marriage would span 57 years and would produce two daughters and a wondrous life. When Bob returned from the war he joined his parents in the family business which consisted of The Varsity Shop and children’s departments in Rothschild’s Department Store in downtown Oklahoma City. As Oklahoma City grew so did the business. Eventually they would leave Rothschild’s to open Orbach's first in Tulsa then in Oklahoma City and Denver, CO. Orbach's clothing stores grew to be well respected throughout the region before closing in 1991.Even today many local men’s clothiers learned their trade while working at Orbach’s as young men. Throughout his life both he and his wife Harriette were deeply involved in the cultural nurturing of the arts in their community. They were chosen to be among the first Living Treasures of Oklahoma City in 2000. They were very supportive of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation through the production of a cookbook of Harriette's recipes handset by Bob on his antique letterpress. Bob's many hobbies included building reproductions of antique furniture which are treasured by many, both family and friends. In addition he loved gardening and puttering in his greenhouse, writing a newspaper called “The Flexible Voice” and a lifelong love of handset letterpress printing and golf. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife Harriette. He is survived by two daughters Suellen Singer and her husband Richard and Robin Starke and her husband Craig. He is also survived by four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His legacy to all who knew him should be his abiding love for his community, state, and nation. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Hospice of Oklahoma County or The Alzheimer’s Association. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel with interment in Rose Hill Burial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.