I want to apologize for taking so long to post this. It is not a poor reflection on Rob. It’s quite the opposite. Actually writing this confirms that the past several months have not been a nightmare. An unimaginable reality.

When I first heard the horrible news I was in shock, and probably still am.

RobBob (our nickname) and I enjoyed more than 30 years of friendship, during which we traveled near and far. Always highlighted by high jinx, silliness, caring and openness. He was like few people I have known. Generous to a fault with his willingness to help. Kind in forgiving shortcomings. Gentle in his compassion for life and its creatures great, small and even me.

Rob helped me with his professional skills on so many projects I’ve lost count. His esthetic was clear, clean, creative and to the point. Always expressing meaning and purpose for the design. He unconditionally supported my endeavors.

Like a lot of New Yorkers, Rob moved around a lot—from Bleecker Street to Seventh Avenue to Maplewood (in Jersey) to 18th Street to Jackson Heights—and he always decorated with his own special flair. A disco ball could generally be found or a bathtub in the living room doubling as go-go platform and bubbly storage.

After I left NYC in 2001, Rob and I stayed in touch at least once a week, often when I was ferrying my husband David to or from the airport for his frequent trips to Manhattan. Rob and I would joke and discuss his plans of meeting up with David and going to a show. Having Rob become one of David’s best friends allowed me to feel closer to Rob’s experiences. While I’ve only seen Rob in person 10 times or so in the last 20 years, it always felt like no time had passed when we saw each other.

When I moved to L.A., I gave my old Victrola to Rob, who was always excited to accept oddities. He also gladly took the sculpture I made of Bacchus, but he knew how much I cared for it. Without hesitation, he had it crated and shipped to me.

Although I never met Messi or saw his Jackson Heights place, Rob talked so passionately about both. He loved his new neighborhood and was protective of its beauty and upkeep. As with Messi, it felt like a beautiful gift had been given to him that he didn’t know he needed.

I met Rob through my other best friend, Steve Gruber. This whole terrible loss has only made me value and cherish what I still have even more. After distance and a pandemic kept us all apart for years, Steve is finally coming to L.A. this month for a visit. I expect much reminiscing about Rob.

Rob, I’m angry that you left us so early. You are missed, but never forgotten. Loved and remembered. Longed to see and be seen. One day, we will all join in our memories.

I had the pleasure of working with Rob on projects for the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals over many years. He took over managing the website and social media from me when one of our programs pulled me in a new direction, and it couldn't have been in better hands. He was such a great designer, and always willing and eager to learn new things. Smart, kind, creative, funny, conscientious, thorough, reliable... the list goes on and on. It was so fun to learn about his community gardening project and bond over our mutual love of plants and gardening. And he would just light up when talking about Messi. It was such a punch to the gut to hear that the world lost such a wonderful person so suddenly. Thanks to his family for writing such a beautiful summary of him. Please know that he was greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed by his work colleagues.

One of the last projects Rob worked on was a complete redesign of the Alliance website. Thank you, Rob! animalalliancenyc.org

I met Rob a few years ago through my friend Vincent, when Rob was kind enough to host a birthday party for Vincent at his home.  Rob was always sweet, kind and friendly to me whenever I saw him; always with a beautiful smile.  I will miss him.  My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones..

Eddie

Dearest Rob

The truth is we would never have been able to say goodbye

We met in the laundry room and we fastly became friends

I thanked you so many times and you thanked me

We languished by the treepits and shared

We languished on your couch and shared some more

We both felt deeply about humanity and fairness

I was there for you

You were there for me

The world was a better place with you in it. I am missing you

Enjoy your journey my friend 

Especially that trip around the SUN

Do send me a sign every now and then

I'll be looking

I love you with all my heart and soul

Cioa

Maryann