Bob Dorf

Born and raised in New York City, Bob was the eldest son of Philip and Nathalie Dorf. He graduated from Hobart College and began his career in communications as a news writer for 1010 WINS radio. Within a few years, Bob founded a public relations firm, Bob Dorf Communications, which became Dorf & Stanton, and was later acquired by a multinational firm. Bob continued as an entrepreneur, publisher, and consultant in the emerging field of customer relationship management and helped to grow a boutique consulting firm called 1to1 Marketing into an international organization with hundreds of employees.

Bob made an impact on the lives and careers of countless entrepreneurs and business students through his efforts as a startup coach, adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, investor, and author – including being the co-author of “The Startup Owner’s Manual,” which has become a standard text at business schools worldwide. In recent years, he focused on helping other entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams, traveling the world lecturing and leading workshops, supporting business incubators, and encouraging innovation. In 2020, Bob was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his efforts to make Connecticut a national and international base for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Bob and his wife Fran gave generously to many charitable organizations. Among many philanthropic efforts, they founded and funded an early intervention program for young children with developmental disabilities, now JumpStart at the Stamford JCC, in memory of their son Mikey. Bob was an active member of Temple Sinai in Stamford and served on the Board of Directors, and in 2020 traveled with other Temple Sinai members to help build a school in Senegal with the group buildOn, which was dedicated in memory of Fran.

Bob is survived by his beloved daughter Rachel Gotler, his son-in-law Ross Gotler, and his cherished grandchildren Maya and Jacob Gotler, as well as his brother Lewis Dorf and sister-in-law Meryl Weinman Dorf of West Orange, NJ, their children Russell and Adrian Dorf, sister Peggy Dorf and brother-in-law Sean Murphy of Portland, OR, their child Fern Murphy, and countless beloved friends. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife Fran Dorf (née Freeman), and their son Mikey.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, December 6 at 10:30 AM, at Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Drive, Stamford. Interment will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bob’s name to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, JumpStart at the Stamford JCC, buildOn, or your favorite charity.