Robert Igoe

Dr. Robert Igoe Ph.D., known to those who loved him as “Bob,” born on November 6, 1926, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, died on July 25, 2017 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Anne, and his children, Thomas (Sharon) Igoe and Patricia Igoe, as well as his grandchildren Sara (David) Baletsa, Katherine (Tom) Kabara, and Sean Igoe. He is predeceased by his first wife, Jane, his daughter, Margaret Igoe, his parents, Patrick and Margaret Igoe and his brother, Jack Igoe. He is survived also by his step-children Maryanne Pagano (Robert), Stephen Trudeau (Vicki), and Jennifer (David) Swaim, and by his step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Bruno (Joseph), Danielle Pagano and Taylor Swaim, and by the newest member of the family, his step-great-grandchild, Carmella Bruno.

Following the loss of his first wife (Anne’s best friend) and the loss of Anne’s husband (Bob’s best friend), Bob and Anne were given a new lease on life when they married in 2001, combining their families and embarking on their golden years’ journey together.

Bob was a December 1947 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, known as Kings Point. While a cadet, he sailed in the maritime industry. After graduating from the Academy, he served in the United States Navy, stationed in San Francisco. Here, he met his first wife, Jane. Following his Honorable Discharge and while raising his family, Bob earned his M.B.A. and his Ph.D. from New York University. Bob was a member of the Market Research Department, Small Appliance Division, at General Electric for over 20 years, allowing family and friends (to their delight) to test every new appliance produced by GE. He ultimately retired after almost 10 years as Director of Market Research at AMF (and they made weekends!).

Although he graduated from Kings Point, Bob never left the Academy. For many years, he scouted and recruited high school football players for the U.S.M.M.A. Mariners football team, first in Connecticut, later in the Carolinas. For over 20 years, he helped to run the Kings Point Golf Classic in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, raising money for the Academy’s Alumni Association. In recognition of his many years of service to the purposes and tradition of the U.S.M.M.A. Alumni Association and Foundation, he was awarded both the Meritorious Alumni Service Award in 1967 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2002. In 2003, surrounded by family and friends, Bob was inducted into the U.S.M.M.A. Athletics Hall of Fame (Honorary) in recognition of his devotion to the Kings Point football and athletics programs.

Bob loved his family, golf (especially Irish golf courses), and warm weather. In a family of divided sports loyalties, he was a dedicated fan of the NY Giants and of the Boston Red Sox, much to the chagrin of his granddaughter, Katherine, a devoted fan of the New England Patriots and of the NY Yankees!

He will be missed by all who knew him.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, July 28 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium niche.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blue & Gray Club, USMMA Alumni Foundation, 14 Bond Street, #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.