Robert Winkler

Bob was born on September 1, 1942 in Staten Island to two German immigrants, Erwin Winkler and Anna Wohlberg. He and his older brother George grew up on Bay Street in Stapleton, played sports with the Stapleton A.C. and spent their summers at their aunt and uncle's farm in High Hill in the Catskill Mountains. Bob attended PS 14 and McKee High School where he played basketball and baseball and studied carpentry. Bob worked as a carpenter at Bloomingdale's for 45 years and was integral in creating the famous Christmas window displays at the flagship store on 59th Street in Manhattan.

In 1965, Bob would marry Carol Siemer, also of Stapleton. They would have two sons, Thomas and Peter. Bob coached both his sons in basketball at Our Lady of Good Counsel school and advanced to the championship game in several seasons.

After retiring, Bob enjoyed his time watching his two granddaughters, Megan and Emily, grow up. Pop Pop enjoyed attending their dance recitals, sporting events and other life events as they occurred. Bob was a member of the board of the McKee Alumni Association and looked forward to catching up with fellow classmates, teachers, students and other alumni at their biannual meetings.

Bob liked gardening, fishing, feeding the birds in his backyard, raising tropical fish and spending time in the summer in his screen house. He was a big fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Rangers. He enjoyed spending time with family, attending holiday and Sunday dinners with his sister-in-law Ann Marie, nephew George, niece Linda and her family. He enjoyed annual trips to Glen Brook Farm and Pine Lake Manor in upstate New York and to the town of Harwich on Cape Cod. While proud of his German heritage, he was equally patriotic. He enjoyed chatting with his neighbors and anyone else passing by his home.

Bob is survived by his wife Carol, sons Thomas and Peter, daughter in law Kelly, granddaughters Megan and Emily and their dog Holly. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He was the self-proclaimed president of the Siemer Outlaw Society and was lovingly referred to as Uncle Bob or Winky.