Dear Uncle Bob, 
I learned many of life's lessons by your example. You taught me the meaning of unconditional love, family, loyalty, laughter, kindness, service to others, courage, resilience, as well as disappointment.

Helping others and family came natural to you and from the heart. You went through life with a smile, humor and conviction. The philosophy you lived by was do what you need to do for yourself and others, keep moving and live life. 

When I feel low or have a problem that seems monumental I remember your words to me- use your brain, common sense and heart to solve it. You said to me 
my heart came from Nanny. Uncle Bob you're the one who had the kindest and biggest heart of all. Before you left this life you were able to thank everyone who loved you, cared for you and was there for you.

You told me your last wish was for our family to be happy, follow our dreams, take care of one another and be there for one another.

I was blessed to have you in my life.  You will always be part of my heart along with Nanny and Mommy.  When I look up at the sky I visualize your smile lighting up the heavens and it makes me feel like I'm smiling with you. Love and gratitude always Deb-Deb

Daddy- It's been a year since you are 'gone.  Not a day has gone by that you have been forgotten. You are present in my heart and my life. You still reach down from the sky to give me advice or a smile. I see reminders of you everywhere, and when I least expect it,  I see or hear something that you would say or enjoy.You continue to teach and guide me. Thank you for being near in Spirit. And when I wish I could tell you something or ask your advice, well, guess what Dad- I do- right out loud, in my car or in my heart. I tell you and I know you are smiling.

Dr. Roberts,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Though I never knew your husband the story you tell of your life together is inspiring to us all. And while your heart may feel heavy, remember all of the great memories you created and shared and what a blessing your time together truly was. I am grateful for the support he gave you to persue your dreams so that you could support others like myself. May you be comforted in your time of grief, knowing that he lives within you and your family.
-Jason

Bob was not only our brother-in-law but a kind, witty friend who was always there for you. He loved the excitement of betting on the horses or the challenge of completin crossword puzzles. He was not only a teacher but often found himself cast in the role of a physical therapist who helped to relief your pain by breaking your adhesions or manipulating your fingers. He always loved math and was always there to help all who feared math. 
His love for my sister was always evident as was the love she had for him. The love they shared was enviable to all that knew them.  It was time for Bob to leave us but not for long as we will see him again soon when we meet in heaven.

Till then, Bob is always in our thoughts and prayers

Grandpa Florida, You mean so much to me. I am so grateful to have you as my grandpa. Nobody could have done the job better. You were always there for me. I remember when I was younger, you would send me all sorts of things, from old movies, to porcelain dolls, to puzzles, and knicknacks of all sorts. They all meant so much to me, and still do. To think you would take some time out of your day to find and send me all these different interesting fun things make me feel so happy and gracious. I enjoyed all of our phone calls, just talking to you about how things were in school and in general brought a smile to my face. Just being able to talk to you for a couple minutes would always make me happy. I love how you were always checking up on me and I know you still are. I wish you could have been to every performance I've played my guitar and sang. I know you will be there with me now. I'm so happy you got to hear me play some songs though though the internet. You're the one who bought me my first guitar. You have always been so supportive of me and I could not appreciate it more. I miss you so much grandpa and I love you so very much forever and always. 
Love, Jayanna

UB's life and what he meant to me ... I would like to tell you about my Uncle Bob, who I affectionately called UB. He was a true renaissance man. A teacher who taught others how to live up to their full potential. He embraced life and lived it to the fullest. He was the apple of his mother's eye (my Nanny) and he loved her dearly.

She taught him all of life's lessons. Be kind, loving, generous, fair, appreciative and to treat people with dignity and respect. This was a thread sewn throughout our family, his sister Judy (my Mother), my sister Rita and myself. 

My Uncle took care of all of us. No problem was too big or too small. He was a constant source of strength and guidance throughout our lives.

As a child, he called me Deb-Deb. When I was a little older, he called me Debbie. When he became older, he went back to calling me Deb-Deb. How I loved to hear him say those words.

I will miss his infectious smile, robust laugh, sparkle in his eye and sharp wit. Uncle Bob, you were ageless and young at heart and will always be in my heart. We were blessed to have you in our lives.

Love Debbie

Dear uncle Bob, may the oceans of the great cosmos lead you to your beautiful destination full of white sand beaches and sail boats. Godspeed and may your journey be a beautiful one. Chickie and Leon

Dear Kay, my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband,Bob. He was a great  Father-in-Law. I will always remember the e-mails he sent me after my hip replacements, with great advice, funny jokes, and telling me to get in the pool and swim for the best therapy. I am sending you a picture I took of your granddaughter Jayanna playng a song on the red guitar her grandfather, Grandpa Florida bought  for her birthday. She sang, and played Somewhere Over the Rainbow for him.

Bob's Eulogy by Cathy

Thank you all for coming to celebrate Bob's life. It was a life well lived. I will not reiterate what you have already heard about Bob – of his love for his family and friends, of his wisdom, and of his kindness and willingness to help others.  He was a good man. 

Rather, today I want to tell you what he meant to me and how much I appreciated all the special things he did for me. I am so lucky that we found each other and that we would share a half century together. Bob was the bedrock of my life and the source of my strength; he was always there for me; ready to protect me, yet allowing me the freedom to fulfill my dreams.  He understood me; he made me laugh with his dry sense of humor; my favorite example was his observation that “I would reduce property values” as I was going outside in my raggedy gardening clothes. He always made me feel like ‘his special lady'. He was my best friend, my confidant, my ultimate audience, the one with whom I could share my small successes and troubles of the day.   

A man of many talents and interests, Bob found so many ways to use these skills to show his love for me.  He was my mentor- re-teaching me the math I had forgotten but needed in order to pass the GRE to go back to school. He was a superb editor- helping me fine tune my papers and dissertation. He was my financial advisor-telling me how to invest the monies I had earned as well as serving as our tax accountant while taking care of all the bills; he often referred to himself as my live-in handyman and mechanic -  knowing how to fix most household problems that arose or finding skilled persons who could compete the job. Most of all, he was the best traveling companion  – enjoying nature and the adventures of the road -at first driving a camper and later trailering a boat every summer to all parts of the US, even Hawaii. On one of our cross-country trips he parked the camper in Seattle's airport and surprised me with tickets to Hawaii. After both of us retired as teachers from NYC, we continued traveling, visiting the Caribbean, Europe, and parts of Africa and the Middle East. 

I would particularly like to thank the people who helped Bob during his later years.
They were special friends. Tom, his physical therapist, who worked with increasing Bob's strength and flexibility, while enjoying the competition of Jeopardy was a great friend. He met Marcia, a nurse at the hospital when he had his heart attack. She became a friend and helped Bob when I had to be away. Evelyn and Audrey were also ladies that helped Bob and became friends to us both.

I was before Bob got sick s happy that I retired from Barry University when I did, so that we were able to spend entire days together talking, doing crossword puzzles, and watching our favorite shows. The world receded and for a short time, we were a world unto ourselves. I treasure this time that was given to us – a time of talking, listening and caring; a time of reflection on how lucky we were to share a lifetime together. 

As Bob got weaker, I prayed that God would not let him suffer and allow him to die peacefully. And my prayers were answered. But I will always remember before he passed, he pursed his lips when I called his name and told him I loved him. Then, after several minutes, he whispered “Mama” and I knew his mother had come for him and I was at peace. 

Lord, I have much in this life to be grateful for, but Bob's love was your ultimate gift to me.  Bob, I will love you and miss you always, but memories of you and what we shared in life will live in my heart and console me.     

Rest in Peace, my love

Your wife, Cathy

Mr. Roberts was a very special person for me. He taught me, he provided me with advise, he was always present for us. He shared news and wisdom with me. He made me feel secure just because I had him as my BIG neighbor. We love Grandpa Florida. 
Tatiana, Adam,& Ron

My Favorite Teacher-Robert E. Roberts
   When I was a little girl and my friends would talk about their favorite teachers, I would smile and reply, "my Dad is my favorite teacher." My father's philosophy of education was to teach practical lessons tat were useful in life. He was a specialist in 'street smarts" and wanted to prepare his students and his own children to be "thinkers" and problem solvers, rather than just memorize by rote. He taught us lessons like holding out 2 dimes in one hand and a quarter in the other and would ask us to pick the hand with the most money. Some kids would pick the hand with the 2 dimes thinking 2 was better than one. Mr Roberts kids knew better! 
   My father was ahead of his time. He used the technology available at that time to inspire and motivate us. My father loved music and we had one of the first stereo victrola's on the block. my father also loved Broadway show tunes, and would 'test"my brother and me as to what show the song he played on the record player, came from. It was his own version of name that tune, or Jeopardy!  We learned to love the Broadway shows almost as much as he did. Some of our most precious memories are of taking the train to the city and going to a show with our Dad. My brother, Jay, was amazed at the Music Man, and the real horses in stage, as they sang 76 Trombones, As we got older, and moved farther away from NYC, we would look forward to the dinner theatre  or local off Broadway productions. My husband, John and cousins Debbie and Rita will always treasure the surprise gift that Kay and my Dad gave us when I visited him last year. He was not up to going himself. but sent us to the Broward Center of Performing Arts, to see South Pacific. How  glorious and even sweeter, the memory of his smile, as we sang some of the songs, Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair. My father passed that love of the old Broadway shows on to his granddaughter, Jayanna. He would send her tapes and CD's of the classics like West Side Story... Jayanna has a lovely voice and my Dad never tired of hearing her sing. Even when he was ill in the hospital, he glowed and blew kisses to the laptop screen when my brother Skyped his only grandchild, playing her guitar and singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow to her grandfather.
  Today, as we remember my father, we are reminded of the beautiful lyrics of our favorite play, Fiddler on the Roof, "Sunrise, Sunset". Sunrise, Sunset.. Swiftly fly the years... One season following another.. Laden with happiness and tears..
Good night my darling father. You will always be my favorite teacher.
From your daughter, Roberta Lee 
Your "shoebox baby"

Dear Dr. Roberts,
My prayers and heartfelt sympathies go to you as you grieve on the passing of your husband.  May you be comforted to know that he is now in a better place where no sickness, sorrow nor pain can visit.  Only love, joy and peace abide. I am with you in spirit as your friend through this time of sorrow.
Love,
Ijya

My deepest sympathies to the family on the passing of Bob Roberts. I pray that he will find peace where he is.  No more pain, sickness and sorrow, only love, joy and light.

Our condolences on the passing of "Uncle Bob". He was a brilliant and kind soul and the earth is less without him. We loved him.

Uncle Bob will be missed. I love you Uncle Bob and though the years went by toooooo fast, the memories of your laughter and smile will last and last and last.   Forever in my heart.   Fran (Difato) Constantino

Dear Dr. Roberts and Family, 
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Roberts. May his memory be eternal.  You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Barbara Alderman

In Memory of Uncle Bob, 
Sorry I never made over, to visit & go swimming, but in my mind I'm floating with Loving Thoughts All Around U, & the Family! And @ the end.. we all 
have to leave and go home... we sadly say, Good Bye, and the other side, Happily Greets us, and says, Mission Accomplished! Once in a heart never apart. Love always, what u catch a butterfly with... AnNETte and the rest of the Capizzi's xox 
Happy Trails....

Dad, The week we spent together this summer were special for me. You will always remain in my thoughts and heart. I love you Dad, Your son, Jay Lance

Daddy, 
  You were one of a kind... 
You will live in my heart for eternity.
I am proud to be your daughter.
Your loving daughter, "La-berta"  
Roberta Lee

Cathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mr. Roberts was a very special person to our children and to us.  We will keep special memories of him of when whe lived in Hollywood, FL.   Our sincere sympathy to Kathy and family.

OBITUARY

Robert E. Roberts

May 6, 1924 – September 27, 2013

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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