Robert C O'Brien

October 3, 1943 – June 17, 2025

Beloved husband, father and grandfather Robert C. O’Brien, aka “Bob,” was born on October 3, 1943 to parents John and Emma O’Brien and brother Jack O’Brien. He proudly hailed from Midland Beach, Staten Island, and attended Wagner College, where he earned a B.S. in Economics in 1966. He later served as Wagner’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees and received an honorary doctorate in 1995. As a college student, Bob worked full time at St. Michael’s Home for Children, a formative experience that helped shape the core values and dedication to service that he modeled throughout his life.

After college, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army. He graduated first in his class from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning and was appointed a lieutenant in the Army infantry. He served as a rifle platoon leader in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and later awarded a Purple Heart. Shortly after his recovery and return home, Bob took a fortuitous summer trip to Fire Island, where he met the love of his life, Patricia. They were married in New York City on December 11, 1971 and had three daughters.

Following his service in the Army, Bob launched a legendary 55-year career in finance. He got his start at Bankers Trust Company, where he progressed from a management trainee at a local branch to the bank’s Head of Acquisition Finance, a role memorialized in the acclaimed novel Barbarians at the Gate, which chronicled the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. Bob then went on to hold many distinguished banking roles, including Global Head of Credit Risk at Credit Suisse, a role he held until retiring from the bank in 2008. After briefly considering a “traditional” retirement, Bob joined the then newly founded Global Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”). He spent the next 17 years as GIP’s Chief Risk Officer and was pivotal in its evolution to a global leader in infrastructure investment and recent sale to BlackRock.

Bob was honored by GIP in April of 2025 in a remarkable tribute, attended by colleagues, family and friends. There were endless testimonials to Bob; a rare corporate leader who was equal parts respected and loved; who established disciplined risk management and accountability while forging meaningful individual relationships; and whose intelligence, humor, integrity and kindness were unyielding. In his own speech, Bob thanked everyone for the hyperbole. He encouraged reaching out to mentors from any phase of life: send them a letter and let them know of their impact, it will mean a lot. He concluded by sharing advice he took to heart early on and has consistently passed on to others. Make your bed each morning, and tuck in your shirt. Say “please” and “thank you.” Be on time. Be kind and helpful. Do your best.

Bob’s passion for his professional work and relationships was surpassed only by his love of family. He was delighted to welcome three beloved sons to the family through marriage, along with eight precious grandchildren, born in a span of eight years, who Bob could sit and watch endlessly with a broad smile. His family was the light of his life, and he found joy in every moment with them, especially their summers spent in Amagansett and at countless “any or no occasion” family gatherings. Many such events were capped off with a dance party, where Bob would famously waltz with (and rapidly twirl) his beautiful bride.

Bob was a generous donor who supported countless people, organizations and causes in his lifetime. He imbued a spirit of graciousness, gratitude and giving back that will be carried on in the many, many lives he touched.

Bob passed away on June 17, 2025. He will be deeply missed but forever celebrated. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Patricia O’Brien; three daughters, Corinne O’Brien Krolicki, Jessica Berenbroick and Alix O’Brien Cohen; sons-in-law Philippe Krolicki, Christoph Berenbroick and Craig Cohen; brother, Jack O’Brien; and eight grandchildren: Oliver Berenbroick, Sebastien Krolicki, Schuyler Berenbroick, Sara Krolicki, Cameron Cohen, Liam Krolicki, Blake Cohen and Remi Cohen.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Services, https://goodshepherds.org/, which Bob has long supported as a trustee, donor and fundraiser.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 10 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Church, 404 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128.