Funeral Details

We are saddened by the news of your father's passing. I have fond memories of your parents during times I spent at your house. He was such a gentle and kind man. Extending our most sincere sympathies during this difficult time. May his life be a blessed memory to his family and friends.

Michael and ina Schneiderman

From Debra Sherrell/Caregiver-9-16 to 2-17 God has you in his arms now, May you Rest in Peace!
Robert Mills


Debra Sherrell

Did not keep kosher,
Made no tools, stacked no wheat except the matza,
Played stickball on the streets then handled Temple freight;
Bookwormy, calling out rhymes,
Robert of the bent and aching back:

They tell me you were wicked smart and I believe them, for I have seen your poems on the walls seducing paintings, luring photos.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the Buber walker you called Thou.
And they tell me you are frugal and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen the marks of a quiet if not wanton generosity.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who remember this man, and I give them my hand and say to them:
Come and show me another man with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and following course after course, one cunning neural network to another.
Flinging synonyms amid the toil of piling stanza on stanzas, here is a bold thinker writing himself into the city that was his entire life.
Fierce in his perseverations but gentle with dogs larger and faster than wheelchairs, witty as any University of Chicagoan pitted against wilderness,
Mufflered,
Shuffling,
Thumbing pages,
Planning,
Building sentences, breaking sentences.
Under the dust of hours, laughing with white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Recalling and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the acute, nautical, analogical laughter of Youth, half-standing, half-sleeping, proud to be an intellectual, a father, a stacker of matza, player of stickball, and handler of the freight of a first and then a second Temple, and its unholy of holies.


Hillel Schwartz

Bob, you were a wonderful colleague and friend for many years. The world is diminished by the loss of your wisdom, kindness and gentle presence. We will all miss you.

Rich Katz

Bob, the most appreciative person I have ever known. His poetry helped me to see the extraordinary in the everyday, ordinary things of life, and his kindness made me strive to be a better person. I will carry the presence of this most gentle man in my heart forever. May his family find comfort in knowing that Bob lives on in so many lives he touched.

Navine Vee Baskerville

I have so many dear memories of Bob. I first met Bob at the Presbyterian Home
and he introduced himself to me as he wanted to learn the computer. I have never met anyone who worked so hard to learn the computer and be independent. We had many wonderful discussions, often regarding his poetry. Bob was such a gracious and courageous man and never forgot to tell me how much his dear daughters Debbie and Ruth meant to him and he knew that he was a very blessed man to have such wonderful daughters to care for his every need. I will certainly miss dear Bob and his precious smile. Caroline

Caroline Carter

Ruth, Debbie and family, Your dad was such a sweet man. I have
very nice memories of him. I know you both do too!
May his memory be for a blessing.
Marla & Jon Snyder

Marla Snyder