Robert Asekoff

Born in New Bedford, MA, he was the son of the late Jacob and Anne (Fox) Asekoff.

Bob had a lifelong passion for helping others and for learning, which guided his career path. He served as a special education director in the Easton public school system and the North Providence school district, and later consulted at Global Learning Charter Public Schools in New Bedford before retiring.

Once Bob retired, he became a world traveler, visiting over 50 countries. He was always eager to share the newest foreign word he learned. He was also a proud collector of coffee and chocolate—being a bit of a chocoholic himself—from every place he visited. On his adventures, he loved meeting new people, exploring museums, and learning about other cultures. He enjoyed taking photos wherever he went and can be seen in quite a few with elephants, camels, birds, monkeys, koalas, and any other wildlife that had the fortune of crossing his path.

Everyone he met was a potential friend, whether a complete stranger or a neighbor in his community. Some would become lifelong friends. He was very chatty, with a fun, dry sense of humor, and ready to start a conversation about any topic at a moment’s notice. He was also a voracious reader, favoring spy thrillers, sci-fi, mysteries, and crime novels.

Bob spent the last 25+ years on Aquidneck Island, one of his favorite places. During that time, he would head to the beach (never during tourist season), learned how to sail, rode his bike, took long walks, and feed snacks to Luggy, the neighbor’s hungry cat. He had a bird feeder that he kept filled as he masterminded new ways to keep those pesky squirrels away! The turkeys on his property were always a treat for him, particularly the one he dubbed “Tommy, the Turkey.” You could frequently find him at one of the Custom House Coffee, Anna D’s Cafe, or Blue Plate Diner, where he was well-loved and always ready to strike up a conversation.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his son David Asekoff and wife, Susan Nathan, of Brooklyn, NY; his son Jonathon S. Friedman and wife, Sarah Friedman, of Marlboro, MA; his sister, Nancy Rakatansky, of Framingham, MA; his niece, Leah Camara, and her husband, John Camara; and his nephew, Alex Rakatansky, and his wife, Felicity Heath; and his cousin, Rozzy Glaser. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services and burial are being held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the following charities: Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice of Middletown, Rhode Island, or RIPIN of Warwick, RI.

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