Robert Harrison Vester Sr.

September 1, 1932 – October 30, 2013

Robert Harrison Vester, Sr., known by family and friends simply as “Bob” left us on October 30, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Vester is survived by his son, Robert H. Vester, Jr., his daughter, Pamela Vester and his two grandsons, Harrison and Cameron. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice in his memory. Mr. Vester, his deceased wife, and his surviving daughter were/are diabetics. Mr. Vester will be cremated in Richmond, VA and the family intends to plan a gathering for extended family and friends in Brooklyn, NY next spring.

Bob enjoyed many things in life, including:

• Being an avid reader, especially Reader’s Digest and National Geographic

• Listening to Big Band Music including Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, and Frank Sinatra

• Watching sports on television, especially baseball, hockey, and the US Open Tennis Tournament

• A good sandwich, a cup of coffee, and the daily newspaper

• Pets, especially cats

• Spending time with fellow congregation members at St. James Lutheran Church

Biography:

Mr. Vester, the son of Rachel and Charles Vester, was born on September 1, 1932 in Buffalo, NY; one of four children. Bob graduated from Kensington High School in Buffalo, NY. Bob would try several different jobs but would eventually find a career as a Toll Booth Collector for the New York State Thruway Authority. Working for the Thruway Authority meant that he would need to relocate from Buffalo to New Rochelle, NY. Bob made the over 400 mile move away from home where he eventually met his wife Jeannette “Jean” Rojas who was from Brooklyn, NY. Bob and Jean eventually married, bought a home in New Rochelle, NY and started a family. In 1976, Bob and Jean sold their house in New Rochelle, and moved to Brooklyn, NY to raise their two children. Although the family moved to Brooklyn, Bob kept his career as a toll collector in New Rochelle, NY. In order to make ends meet, Bob worked long hours, and most weekends in order for the family to live in Brooklyn. Bob would retire from the New York State Thruway Authority in 1994, a 32 year career, to spend more time with family.

Bob’s son would leave home in 1993 to attend the University at Buffalo. Meanwhile Bob, Jean and their daughter Pam continue to live together in Brooklyn. Bob would lose his beloved wife, Jean, on August 6, 2000 after 2 strokes over a 14 month period. Bob visited Jean on almost a daily basis at the nursing home so he could be by her side. With Bob’s son having graduated from college and starting a family of his own in Richmond VA, Bob would spend the next 12 years living and providing for his daughter Pamela. In February 2004 Bob became a grandfather for the first time when his grandson Harrison was born in Richmond, VA; he became a grandfather for a second time in April 2007 when his second grandson Cameron was born in Richmond, VA.

Bob’s life would change in October 2012 when he was hospitalized shortly before Hurricane Sandy devastated the New York Metropolitan Area. With his health issues and his home damaged due to the storm, his son moved him and Pamela to Richmond, VA to be close to his family. Bob’s health would be like a roller coaster over the next year with multiple stints in the hospital and residing in a nursing home. Bob would be admitted to the hospital on October 25, 2013 with Pneumonia and would not be able to recover. Bob passed away on October 30, 2013, he was 81 years old.