Robert Joseph Kasher

Robert Joseph Kasher, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Toronto. Robert was born September 30, 1953 in Honolulu, Hawaii and divided his childhood between Cleveland and his native Hawaii. He moved to Toronto in 1972 to attend York University, where he completed a Master’s degree in History in 1976.

After graduation, Robert went into literary and media worlds, where he prospered in many activities ranging from selling books at the iconic Toronto Book Cellar shop to being a sales representative for many publishers ranging from General Publishing Distribution to the Literary Press Group of Canada.

He transitioned into digital publishing, founding Database Directories in 1994. Robert was a pioneer in the field and an early driving force in the development of publishing for mobile devices. He became an expert on digital rights and permissions for literary and music publishing, working for a variety of international firms over the years. Currently, he was employed by S4Carlisle, whose owners are shocked and bereaved by his passing as are his many family and friends.

Robert was an effervescent force who went by many names: Homily, Tropical Bob, Bobby Joe and Kamahalu being the most often used. He was a prolific writer, having authored such books as The Tarot of Baseball, Ethnic Toronto and Tropical Bob’s Inside Scoop Hawaii. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, Bob was profoundly Hawaiian and that indigenous identity guided his creative endeavours throughout his life.

Robert Joseph “Kamahalu” Kasher is survived by his son Cazimir Emile Kaipo Maile Ikanekiu Okalani Kasher. There will be a celebration of his life this Saturday, March 12, starting at 7:30 pm at the TRANZAC Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jerrettfuneralhome.ca for the Kasher family.