Jim first met Bob a week or two after Marvis accepted his proposal of marriage. Since we each graduated from Penn, we shared a common bond - as it turned out it may have been to only commonality we shared over the next 46 years. Marvis introduced Jim to Ann (Madigan), her girlhood friend and neighbor.

Bob and Jim could argue over the time of day, religion, politics, history, philosophy and everything in between. Bob's passion for explaining his point of view gave those around them during these conversations pause about a fight might begin. It never did, and all would be resolved over a glass of bourbon on the rocks.

We will never forget these times and they will be forever missed.

Our prayers for Marvis, Joey, and Gilah are heartfelt. We share their sorrow and pain, but take solice in knowing that Bob is
waiting for them - impatiently, to be sure.

I worked with Bob at Masuk for many years. I taught health and was in the science department with him. So sorry to hear of his passing.

To the Gersten Family,

I worked with Bob for many years at Masuk. He was a great teacher and a wonderful colleague. He was funny and had lots of stories to tell. I am terribly sorry for your loss, but he will be remembered with fondness by both his colleagues and former students.

Sincerely, Carol Solheim

We were surprised and sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Gersten. When Joe and I worked together at the law office, he would often speak about his Dad since both of our fathers were in the teaching profession.
Please accept our sincerest condolences to your family.

marvis, i remember you and the gersten/kaiser family. i am sorry of hearing bob's passing. i remember the times i spent at your house with usy and bob being the usy advisor.

my thoughts are with you and your children and kaiser/gersten family.

very sorry to hear about the passing of bobby today.....we lost touch over the years, but i would always think of my cousin and the good times we had

Dear Marvis,

Though we have only known you and Bob for but a few months, it feels like a long time friendship because of the sincerity of each of you and the open, honest talks. You made our summer social times last summer with your open to all events outlook and your wonderful company. To see Bob and Richard talk and talk and Richard enjoying Bob's intelligence was a pleasure. While you and I talk about everything. I guess we would say Bob was a gutenah shimah (SP) A man so full of life, such warmth, a brilliant mind, so interesting and a good sport. And, how he adored you and took such pride in you and all you create.So many people are suffering your loss of Bob as he was such a giving person. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
Love, Marcia and Richard

Dear Mrs. Gersten & family,
I do not recall ever having had the pleasure to meet you and members of your family, so it is as a stranger that I address you now.

Bob was a colleague and a friend with whom I shared numerous moments of banter and kidding at Masuk High School. I mourn his loss even though we have not had contact since he left Masuk.

At the risk of sounding philosophic, I believe that Bob's passing leaves many of his dearest friends with a loss unfilled yet satisfying in having known him and having shared in his gregariousness and genuineness of spirit.

I shall add Bob to our list of the departed who remain in our hearts and minds at my church. I hope someday to see Bob again and share with him, once again, his many stories and gentle persona that I came to know at Masuk High School. As long as we keep his memory alive, he will never be gone from us.

God bless you and your family in this moment of grief and distress.

Respectfully,
James Garofolo

Dear Mrs. Gersten, Joe and Gilah,
I just heard of Mr. Gersten's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Amy

Dear Marvis & family,
We are very sorry to learn of Bob's passing. It's been many years since we've seen you both but remember our times together in Bristol. May your loving memories outway the sadness in your hearts. Harleen & Jack Epstein

We were saddened to hear of Bob's passing. I treasured the time we spent together, the conversations we had on all sorts of topics, and even the ill-fated International Convention trip to Van Nuys, CA (which gave Bob the shivers every time I mentioned it).

May his memory be for a blessing.

Dear Marvis and Family

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Bob. We are currently out of the country and heard the sad news when we called home. Please accept our deepest condolences and I will be in touch when we get home.
Fondly,
Eileen & Michael High

Many memories in USY, joking around while shaperoning events. Such a nice guy, and a great role model.
--Marc

Marvis, Gilah, Joe and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of your loss. I will fondly remember some very interesting conversations with Bob at the lab. Love you Marvis.

Dear Marvis,
We are saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was an amazing man with a great sense of humor, a genuine warmth and positive outlook. Bob will be missed by the entire Tyler Lake community and those of us in Goshen. Know that we are here to surround you and your family in support.
Tim and Kit Wright

USY
wonderful times with all of our kids!
miss those days!

Rest in Peace Bob. Bob was an extremely nice man to my family and we always enjoyed seeing you. Marvis is great and so is her family and we are lucky to be relatives with you all.

I recall the family reunion a few years back, and my wife was pregnant with my son Brandon. My wife had a bee bite that was getting swollen at the family reunion and we had to find a doctor On a saturday (as instructed by her doctor at home since she was pregnant) to look at it and prescribe something for her as it was getting worse. We were at Marvis & Bob's house, far from home. Bob not only offered to drive with us to a clinic he knew of that was open on a saturday but stayed with us for about 4 hours as we waited to be seen. I thought he would just let us follow him over but he preferred to stay with us to make sure Alyssa was ok and that we knew where we were going. I will never forget his generosity that day and care for knowing that Alyssa was ok. Thank you Bob :)

Bob was also at my bar mitzvah and my sister's bat mitzvah and I always enjoyed seeing him and his family at family events!

Much sympathy to Marvis and your entire family.

Rest In Peace Bob.

Love,
Alyssa, Jonathan & Brandon Arroyo

We will miss Bob. He was one of our favorites!
Alan and Jan

Dear Gilah and Mrs. Gersten,

I was so sad to read of Bob's death. All of you became good friends after Forman. I remember all the times I saw you at Goshen Players and what loyal fans you became.
Please know that I'll keep Bob in my prayers and I wish you both peace and my condolences.

Dear Marvis, Joe and Gilah,
How sad we were to hear of Bob's much too early passing. We have lots of memories of the "good old USY days" together. Hopefully your memories of the many good years will help to sustain you through these difficult times. Our fondest thoughts are with all of you.
Bob and Judy Cohn and Family

Dear Marvis, My Mom saw Robert's obituary in the paper, and we want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if you are ever in need of any kind of a helping hand. Prayerfully,Claire and Brian Reardon

/we are so sorry. He was much too young.

Dear Marvis, Gilah & Joe and all the family~
My condolences on the loss of Bob, I have such fond memories from visits with you all throughout the years. Sending love & prayers your way.

Marvis and family,
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

-Bryon

My condolences on the loss of your husband. I remember the good times we had when we worked together on the Youth Commission.

Our condolences on the loss of Bob. We had some great times together working with USY and Youth Commission.

Dear Marvis, Gilah, Joe, Beth and Bryan,
We are thinking of you on this sad day. Bob was always a perfect gentleman. He was kind to everyone, and was known for having interesting discussions in his many areas of expertise. A whole branch of the family will always remember the historical,'mystery bus ride' he planned and led at the family reunion. We will miss him and are very sorry for your loss. Love, Ann & Frank

I will always remember the long talks we had about history,
religion, raising families and everything else that came up.
I am very pleased that Bob and I got to really meet and get
to know eachother and our families at the Ponderosa .
REST IN PEACE BOB
I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU

It was my privilege to meet Bob through my wife, his cousin, Elaine. His interests in the sciences and general outlook on life and teaching were parallel to my own. He was always up on the latest issues, and viewed the world with a keen wit and fine sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to Marvis, Joe and Gilah.

I was just getting to know Bob....I loved his humor...I will miss him at 'our class' at Beth El.

We are all so saddened to learn of the passing of Bob. He was a lovely gentleman and we will miss him.

Dear Marvis and family.

Sorry to read about Robert's death. Remember all the good things
from when you all came to see Esther and told us about all the good times you had together. Our condolences to all of you. His memories will always be with you.

Love, Sharon, Chad, and Ari Slossberg and families

To the Gersten Family,

Our love, thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing...

With Sympathy,

Charles & Cheryl Chuck, Collin and Clayton

Dear Marvis and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your warm smile and ready laugh endear you to everyone - I hope that the love and comfort of your family and friends will sustain you and that your loving memories will console you. May his memory be for a blessing. Robin

Dear Marvis

So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Our condolences to all of you.
My kids remember him as looking just like Steve and hearing you
talk about them together.
Love Sharon, Chad, Ari Slossberg and families

Marvis and Family,
Am so very saddened by Bob's death.
Always had great respect for him as
a friend.
Rest in Peace.
Shalom,
Stan