Robert J. Birnbaum

Robert (Bob) J. Birnbaum, 90, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and formerly of West Hartford, Connecticut, died on July 30, 2021. Born in New York, the son of the late Paul and Mildred (Braunstein) Birnbaum, he made his home in West Hartford with his late wife Barbara Birnbaum (Umanoff) for over 40 years. After attending Brooklyn Technical High School in New York, he graduated from Bucknell University. With an interest in business law, he attended Harvard Law School, followed by several years serving in the U.S. Army as a lawyer and journalist in Germany. Following his military service, Bob worked in commercial law in New York before moving with his family to Connecticut in 1970 to practice law. Bob co-founded the law office Cohn & Birnbaum, PC (now Cohn, Birnbaum & Shea), in 1976, working there until his retirement in 1999. Described as “one of the deans of Hartford real estate lawyers,” he combined a nuanced understanding of the law with a savvy business sense and ability to bring people together. Although he was known for handling complex matters, he also enjoyed serving as a mentor to young lawyers in his firm. Bob served for many years on the board of directors of St. Francis Hospital, the Hartford Symphony, and the Hartford Stage Company, and was active in the local Jewish philanthropic community. Chairman of the former West Hartford Bank & Trust, he also served as a member of Hartford’s Downtown City Council. Bob loved to play golf and travel with Barbara, his beloved wife of 51 years. After Barbara’s passing, Bob cherished the time he spent with his loving companion, Hyaline Greenberg, of New York, and her family. Bob treasured spending time with his family, including his three daughters and their spouses, Margot Birnbaum of Cambridge, Carol Birnbaum, and son-in-law, Adam Manacher of Cambridge, Paula Birnbaum and son-in-law, Neil Solomon, of San Francisco; grandchildren Daniel, Jonathan, Jordan and Mariel; brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Shelly Umanoff, of Boynton Beach. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Wednesday, August 4 graveside at the Beth El Temple Cemetery, 51 Jackson St., Avon, CT, organized by the Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. Interment will follow. Visiting hours will be observed after the burial on the outdoor patio at Max A Mia Restaurant, 70 E. Main St., Avon, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the FSHD Society, BBRI R353, 64 Grove Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or http://www.fshdsociety.org. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Bob, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.

Memorial contributions may be made to the FSHD Society, BBRI R353, 64 Grove Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or http://www.fshdsociety.org.

Visiting hours will be observed after the burial on the outdoor patio at Max A Mia Restaurant, 70 E. Main St., Avon, CT