I had the privilege of working with and learning from Bob. He had the driest quick wit. Sometimes I would find myself chuckling about something he said days later. 

Once he and I were reviewing a document or policy. He was looking at the language for interpretation.  I remember him pausing, then looking at me saying “here’s the thing, Jennifer, words matter”. While he meant it mostly about the document we were looking at, the impact on me was so much bigger. And I think of him and that exchange all the time. Because he was right  words do matter and my words would be thank you, Bob for being a great man who I could trust and learn from.

He was a model of good behavior. He never blamed. He solved problems and he freely shared his knowledge and expertise. He was a really good man.  And I deeply hope the many wonderful memories people are sharing give you some peace knowing what a wonderful impact  he had on those who had the gift of knowing him. 

Samantha and David, 

I feel as if I know you in person as I was lucky enough to know your Dad’s good company for over twenty years.  He shared many a stories of you both with me while our children were growing up.  Your father as you have read here was truly the definition of kindness, integrity and grace. Every time I walked in his office, he would say “ what do I need to do for you now?”, roll his eyes and laugh.  Even though they weren’t  always laughable issues.   He gave me guidance and I had such respect for him. He truly will be missed by so many.   I hope knowing that makes you feel less alone in your loss and sadness. 

Rest in forever peace my friend. 💙

Donna  Marandola

To Bob’s Loving Family,

I am so very, very sorry for your loss. I had the great privilege of working with Bob for many years and in that time, came to know what a kind, funny, smart and compassionate man he was. Once, after we had finished a particularly complicated project, he told me that I had earned my “junior law degree.” He meant it as an funny remark, but I don’t think he would have ever understood how proud it made me feel to receive that acknowledgment from him. Like so many others, I considered Bob a teacher, mentor, trusted colleague and friend, and I am  deeply saddened that you - and all of us - have lost such a truly good man.  May he rest in peace.  

To Bob’s family. I worked directly with Bob for 14 years and then on some follow up project for a few more. Like so many on here, I would struggle to think of a better mentor, voice of reason and just a great guy to work with. I enjoyed a prank or two to lighten our often busy and sometimes stressful work, but Bob was always a step ahead. From his introduction email to me on April 1, 1997 (note the date) he had an almighty upper hand. I can’t go into detail but those that do know share my admiration for both his sense of humor and humility. 

May his gentle soul Rest In Peace as I know he filled so many of our lives with knowledge, humor and grace.  

I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing and offer my sincerest condolences to you all. I worked with Bob for many years and I feel his best quality hands down was his humility. He was very content to do an excellent job while staying in the shadows and not looking for credit. Bob was always deep in thought so it was my goal do lighten him up  and make him laugh. When he would come to see my boss, our routine was for him to intentially mispronounce my name when walking into my office. And even though my boss saw and heard him I would then say out loud “Mr. Bohner? Mr. Gilman is here to see u. Would u like to see him?” Just to make him wait a little longer. It always made him chuckle. And it always made me chuckle when I would pass him in the hall and he was so deep in thought, he had no idea I passed him, let alone said hello!

Ironically, the picture I posted popped up on September 7th and it made me smile and miss Bob and the good old days at “Mercy”. 

I know I have lots of company when I say, “I was lucky to have known him”.  Hoping these fond memories being u comfort when u most need it. 

Bob will always be one of my very favorite people ever. He probably never considered himself to be a mentor, but he was to many of us. We need more Bob’s in the world  

One day that he stopped by to talk about nothing in particular, he told me about a job he once had working with young adults with developmental disabilities and a baseball league they started. I can’t remember the details anymore but I do remember thinking that this was a really special person I was talking to and I wanted to be like him. 

To Bob's family,

I was so sad to hear about Bob's passing. He was a wonderful person - smart, wise, kind, and funny. I worked with him a great deal and felt comfortable calling him with any question, issue or problem--he could always be counted on to help solve, always working together towards a common goal. I once told him that he was a "mensch", and he was. People he worked with--colleagues and staff alike --trusted and admired him. I remember when his mother passed away, he read a reflection at a leadership meeting from a card he had found when going through her things, and his love for her was so evident - it was emotional and authentic for all of us. He loved his wife and family so much. He used to tease me about a trivia contest my friends and I enter every year, saying how nerdy it was, which made me laugh (and which I heartily agree with). I will miss him being in the world. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, as is Bob. - CP

I loved working with your Dad at Mercy Health Plan. We shared next-door offices for over 20 years. He would stroll in, rambling through some challenge in broken phrases, rarely sitting down. I would do something similar, walking into his office with a problem or an idea.

Once, on a rare occasion when he did sit down to discuss a very difficult problem, a goose flew against the office window and fell to the ground dead. Bob didn’t even flinch. He simply looked at me and quietly said, “That’s not a good sign.” He was funny, imperturbable, and remarkably balanced in his approach to life.

Bob was such a kind, humble yet brilliant professional. He had a quiet wit, amazing patience, and a generous wisdom. Without ever claiming the spotlight, he navigated our young then growing company through so many complex challenges. We could trust Bob, depend on him, and be confident in his judgements.

I know that I speak for all of us who worked with Bob in expressing our gratitude for knowing him, and our heartfelt sympathy to Monica, David, and Samantha.

To Bob's family - I am so sorry for your loss.  I worked with Bob and admired his gentle but persuasive ways.  I, and many others, learned so much from him. Know that he made a mark on the lives of many and he will be missed.  May his memory be a blessing.

Ellyn Cominetto