Robert Mandelkern, 87 years of age, of West Hartford, died (February 23, 2013) at Hartford Hospital from complications due to Parkinsons Disease. Bob was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel of West Hartford. Bob was owner of a wholesale diamond firm in New York City until his retirement in 1985. He then returned to school and earned a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and led exercise classes for seniors in nursing homes and residences. Bob was an avid basketball and tennis player. He was an active member of the CT Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. Bob was a participant in the successful effort to secure the passage of the bill funding stem cell research in Connecticut. From 2006 to 2011, he served as a member of the CT Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee. He was also the Connecticut State Coordinator of the Parkinsons Action Network. He leaves his wife June; three sons, Nick and his wife Carol of Fairfield, Michael and his wife Myrna Rasmussen of Irvine, CA, and Peter and his partner Pamela Adams of Clinton, OH; and five grandchildren, Talya, Carmi, Ronit, Neal, and Nora. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, February 25, 2013 in the Silberman Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT, with Cantor Pamela Siskin officiating. Interment will follow in Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, Queens, NY. Shiva will be observed at the Mandelkern home on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 26 and 27 at 6:30 p.m. Donations may be made to the Connecticut Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, www.ctapda.org at 27 Allendale Dr., No. Haven, CT 06473. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Bob, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.