Robert W. Koo

He attended Transfiguration School in Chinatown, New York for his elementary education. Although it was a Catholic school, he remained a life-long Presbyterian. He used to talk about being punished by the nuns- getting whacked on the hand with a ruler and sitting on top of a wastepaper basket. He appreciated the education he received there. He next attended Haaren HS in midtown Manhattan, which is now the site of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He was awarded the James K Hackett medal which recognizes the student demonstrating the greatest proficiency in oratory. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He used to say that he graduated art school without being able to draw or paint, but he had “the gift of the gab” and a discerning eye. He used these talents to remain in different phases of the art business as the founder and president of Koo Consulting Group Inc. along with his son, Grant Everett Koo.

After building a successful art and philanthropy consulting practice, he and his wife, Shirley, moved to Florida where he continued to pursue his life principle of “paying it forward.” He was an expert on educating people how to use art and tangible personal property to help charitable giving. He is a member of the Foundation for Palm Beach State College. The Koo Family Art Collaborative Mentorship provides students opportunities to work with the artist chosen for the Helen M. Salzberg Visiting Artist Fellowship.

At the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University, the Koo Interfaith Community Engagement Scholarship was established along with a family initiative for the Interfaith Day of Reflection and Conversation Fund.

He served as an elder for Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY and Gardens Presbyterian Church in Palm Beach Gardens. He is a lifetime member of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He established The Koo Family Community Engagement Scholarship Fund at the OCA Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter.

After World War II ended, his father who had served in the US Navy, went back to China and married his mom. Likewise, Shirley’s dad, who had served in the US Army Air Corps also brought back a bride. Robert liked telling people he had known Shirley for over 75 years because both sets of parents met on the boat bringing them back to the US, and both moms were pregnant with them. The families separated and Robert and Shirley met again at 16 years of age at a wedding. They were married on October 4, 1970 and 9 months later, their son Grant was born. Robert, Shirley, and Grant were all born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the pig and have hundreds of pigs that they collected and that were given to them.

Besides Shirley and Grant (Shawn), he is survived by the joy of his life, his granddaughter, Sophia Morgan Koo. He leaves behind his siblings, George Koo (Sandy), William Koo (Craig), and Joyce Koo Gong (Frank).

He had an active mind, always thinking out of the box. His life was full of gratitude and he always felt blessed.

A memorial service will be held at Gardens Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 12th at 10 a.m.

This will be available on livestreaming at:

www.YouTube.com/channel/UCsCnv7zTL2n4_H412WamRXw/live

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Gardens Presbyterian Church, the the Koo Family Art Collaborative Membership Scholarship at Palm Beach State College, or the Koo Family Community Engagement Scholarship at the Wilkes Honor College at Florida Atlantic University.

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When someone we know, and love dies the feelings associated with their death are strong and often overwhelming. This is particularly the case when their death is unexpected.

Friday morning Bob Koo, a member and elder at Gardens, unexpectedly died from the traumatic brain injury associated with a fall. As you can imagine, Bob’s wife Shirley and his family are in shock. For those of us who knew and loved Bob we are in shock as well.

Bob was not only active in our church but also in our Palm Beach Gardens community particularly in facilitating benevolent giving. Shock waves continue into the community at large.

Loss and grief carry with them powerful emotions. They are compounded as we feel for Shirley and the Koo family but also with the realization of our own vulnerability.

Here are some scriptures to both counsel and comfort in our loss.

Psalm 42: 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge…10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

John 11 25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.

John 14: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”

Please pray for Shirley and Bob’s family. Pray for those who were blessed to have been Bob’s friends. Pray that the benevolent causes Bob chose to support will continue. And ponder on these words from the Psalmist and our Lord Jesus and discern what they might mean to you today.

~ Pastor Roger ~

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Link to article from from Palm Beach State College:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://news.palmbeachstate.edu/2023/08/09/bob-koo-life-is-a-work-in-progress/__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!OTnF1VTmYjrASC9zMlcMLOWVcY2NDWUvz6lAfaMitrMaL8f31RpIFYZQNrYG702_q96KftOss7dA3Y3tfUXCfxu_nw$ [news[.]palmbeachstate[.]edu]