ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Robert Wittich, 68, born on December 16, 1944 and passed away on July 10, 2013. We will remember him forever.

December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Dear Bob. Today would have been your 79 th Birthday. I am sure we would have celebrated and had fun. I miss you every day and will love you always. Rita
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Miss you Bob. Wish you were here if even for a few minutes. Today is your birthday but I think of you nearly every day.
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Forever missed and thought about with love.
Laura and Bob
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Brother Bob,
Still miss hearing your voice and wisdom. 
Love
Rich
July 13, 2023
July 13, 2023
I have signed on quite bit knowing it is 10 years since I lost you. But I just cannot express how much I miss you. So I sign off leaving the page blank.
We had shared quite a few years working together and I still find myself wishing I could drop into your office, flop in a chair to shoot the bull.
I miss the the perspective and unique insight you brought to our discussions.
Not the same since those then and I miss you every day.
July 11, 2023
July 11, 2023
To my big brother Bob.
Hard to believe it has been 10 years. Nothing is the same without you in our lives.

Love
Rich
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Hi Bob, Wow, has it been 10 years? The anniversary of your passing not only reminds me of missing you terribly but recalls the discussion we had and my asking your advice about my moving to North Carolina. I remember the conversation often and particularly on your anniversary. I love and miss you and your sense of humor. love you always, your sister and God daughter, Helene and Al.
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Always thinking of our wonderful times together and whenever we make your simple chicken recipe we reminisce about Rita and Bob and our great fun at Kingsview and Monroe.
Laura & Bob
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Dear Bob
It was 10 long years ago that you left us. Honestly, it has been the most difficult 10 years of my life. I miss you desperately and really could have used your help, humor, companionship, and love. I will love you forever.
Rita
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Still miss you big brother. Visiting with Rita and Bobby this coming weekend.
December 17, 2022
December 17, 2022
In our thoughts with love. Many hugs to Rita and Bobby
Laura & Bob
December 16, 2022
December 16, 2022
Another birthday passing without you here. Miss you everyday.
Jim
August 27, 2022
August 27, 2022
Yesterday, August 26, we would have been married 55 years. Too bad we didn't make it. It would have been nice, Love you forever. Rita
July 14, 2022
July 14, 2022
Hi Bob, It is said Time flies and Life goes on and it does. It is said time heals and it becomes bearable, and it does, BUT missing someone's smile, wit, charm, and the desire to hear their voice or to feel their bear hug and to feel their physical love NEVER goes away. It finds it's place and sits at bay and appears stronger at different times of day or at a moment when you least expect it especially at specific times of year, and at this time all the things you miss about that person comes flooding back. So yes, I remember you, especially during this time of year and I will never forget you. Love you more than words can express.
July 13, 2022
July 13, 2022
Hi Bob,

You and Mike have a new responsibility. Therese is with you now. Please take good care of her. We are heartbroken.

Jim
July 11, 2022
July 11, 2022
Where have those nine years gone. Still think of you, talk about the good times with family and miss our email and phone call exchanges. Rest in peace mate. Rod and Heather
July 10, 2022
July 10, 2022
Dear Bob,
Here we are nine years later, and I am still missing you all the time. I still talk to you and ask for advice and complain about things. One of the things I miss the most is your laugh. I know your laugh would have gotten Bobby and I through some of the rough times a little more easily. But you would be sooo very proud of him. He finally got his transplant after so many years and he has been handling it so very well. He is a real trooper. I think of you all the time. I love you and I always will.
July 10, 2022
July 10, 2022
You are forever in our hearts and minds. Our love goes out to Rita, Bobby and the rest of the family.
Laura & Bob
July 10, 2022
July 10, 2022
Hey big brother.

Thinking about you today and every day.

Sure do miss you.

Love you
Rich
July 10, 2022
July 10, 2022
Looking through the gallery reminding me how grateful I am to have shared time with ‘Big Bob’ and Rita and Bobby. He was loving and loved so much. Miss you ‘King Turkey’. Love to you all.
December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
Dear Bob,
Happy, happy Birthday. I love you and miss you all the time.
Love Forever
Rita
December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
How is it possible it can be 8 years and I am still walking around talking to you, wondering what sage advice you would give me and wishing I could show you how much has changed since that sad day you left us ? It would be so great just to have 5 minutes of time with my older brother and good friend. It is empty with out you and I miss you so much.
Love you,
Jim
December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
We continue to miss you and think of you always. We recited your Thanksgiving poem written by you and Rita at our celebration. It is truly a wonderful poem.
Love Laura and Bob
July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021
Not forgotten ‘Downunder’ either. RIP mate. Rod ,Hezz, Mel, Stacey and family.
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Dear Bob It has been a long eight years since you left us. We miss you all the time. I know you would have made life easier and so much more enjoyable. I will love you forever .
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Still miss his smile, intelligence & our long great friendship since Brooklyn Prep. May Gods bless him forever ❤️
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Memories of you fresh and alive with us, ‘Big Bob’. You are forever missed not ever forgotten. Much love to all Wittich family and friends remembering you today and every day.
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Seems impossible that's it's been 8 years...still remembering the tenderness of my last visits with you. Rest in Peace
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Always on our mind! So missed! With love to Rita and Bobby.
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Miss you Bob! Your impact and influence does not diminish.

Love,
Wes
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Big brother.

Still wish you were with us. Always could depend on you for your wisdom.

Love and miss you.
Rich
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Hi Bro,

Think of you often, nearly every day, and wish I could have a chance to talk to you just one more time. It would have to be a lo-o-o-n-g conversation if you wanted an update o your favotire topic, politics. Miss you.

Your Bro,
Jim
December 16, 2020
December 16, 2020

Dear Bob,
Happy Birthday. Wish we could have a nice quiet dinner to celebrate. Miss you all the time
Love
Rita
December 16, 2020
December 16, 2020
Hi Bob,

Another year passes and I still want to pick up the phone to wish you a Happy Brithday; and, of course, meet for a beer and a Jim-Bob Burger at the old Main Street cafe. Miss you Bro.

Jim
December 16, 2020
December 16, 2020
I still think of you almost every day and miss you so much Bob. Happy Birthday big brother!❤️

Therese
December 16, 2020
December 16, 2020
Sorely missed and forever loved!
Laura & Bob Bartels
September 13, 2020
September 13, 2020
Hey Bob,

Have not posted in a while. Some times I just cannot collect my thoughts enough to say how much I miss you.

You are in my thoughs every day.

Love Jim.
July 13, 2020
July 13, 2020
Bob, it may be seven years but you are still frequently in out thoughts. The Cramp and Wilson families in Oz.
July 11, 2020
July 11, 2020
Dear Bob. Its been 7 years and it doesn't get any easier. It seems especially difficult because of all that is going on right now. I miss you every day. Love always Rita
July 9, 2020
July 9, 2020
Hey brother, hard to believe it has been 7 years. Think of you often...I miss your wisdom and your laugh. 

Love you
Rich
May 10, 2020
May 10, 2020
Dear Bob,
Today is Mother's Day, A bitter sweet day for you and I. Seven years ago(hard to believe it has been that long) you woke up with no voice. That was the beginning of us learning what was happening to you. So sorry you had to go through that whole journey. I love you and miss you
Rita
December 16, 2019
December 16, 2019

Dear Bob,
Happy Birthday. I miss being able to celebrate your birthday. We always had a good time and laughed and loved. Now I just miss you even more--if that is possible. You would have been 75 years old today--a milestone. Your birthday is also an anniversary for Bobby, since today he has been on the kidney transplant list for four years. I wish that you could be here to help Bobby and I along this path. I will love you forever.
December 16, 2019
December 16, 2019
Happy Birthday in heaven Bob!! You are so missed by everyone! You always brought a bright light to every room, you knew when a hug would soothe all pain, and you were so much fun to be around. Love you forever!!❤️
December 16, 2019
December 16, 2019
Dear Bob,
On your birthday and always, we forever remember all our wonderful times together and different little Wittichisms that make us laugh!
Love
Laura & Bob
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Recent Tributes
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Dear Bob. Today would have been your 79 th Birthday. I am sure we would have celebrated and had fun. I miss you every day and will love you always. Rita
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
Miss you Bob. Wish you were here if even for a few minutes. Today is your birthday but I think of you nearly every day.
Recent stories

ProCall@aol.com

September 2, 2013

"Good morning Robert. At last spring has arrived with a flourish of colour and freshness after a long, wet, Wagga Wagga winter. This e-mail is being sent from home instead of my office as I have finally retired. Yes, I know it's about time you say! This mornings news has the European economy improving, at least the northern part, and China too. Our All Ord's is nearing 5,200 - a five year high - and there is a lot more green than red on my watch list. Our Reserve bank meets today but the expectation is that our benchmark rate will  stay at 2.50% especially given we go to the polls on Saturday to rid ourselves of Kevin Rudd. With a new government and renewed consumer confidence it is hoped, especially from a retiree's perspective, that further rate cuts will not be necessary. I see that my beloved METS failed to sweep the Nat's as they struggle to finish the year on a positive note. Let me know what you think about your mate's decision to 'flick the ball' to congress re Syria? I had better go. I think Hezz has jobs lined up for me. Retirement! Yea! Give my love to Rita and Bobby." 

Sadly, I know I will not get a response from my mate. But if I did, it would have been prompt, insightful, warm and witty. Since our return to Oz in 1986, Bob was the 'penfriend' I never had as a youngster. I greatly miss this contact.

In some ways, Bob was the 'big' brother I never had. I 'looked up' to him; enjoyed his missives; his trips to Oz; his interaction with my adult children and my grandchildren; his beautiful reflection of my only son, Peter; his pronunciation of 'gidday mate'; his dismissal of a handshake for a bear hug; sharing a cold beer whether it be a VB or a Bud; his choice of Italian restaurants; his Spanish; and his overwhelming generosity. I admit to not enjoying (the next morning) our sharing of a bottle of JD and a cigar.

Bob you are and will remain a good mate.
 

Bob in the 1950s

August 3, 2013

For those of you who only knew Bob as an adult you would easily recognize him as a youth.   Bob was a happy and confident boy, and if he wasn’t outright leading an activity, he was always involved in the leadership.  Summertime was the best.  I remember endless games of punchball, stickball, stoopball, skelzies, “Johnny on the pony”, ringolevio, and kick the can.  Bob always made sure I was included.  Of course, the touch football games in City Park were classic, as were the two full tackle football games he set up between the boys from St. James and St. Augustine in Memorial Park.  Most of us only had helmets and the hits were brutal, but so much fun.

I distinctly remember the happiness of being rewarded by Bob with an ice-cold Hires root beer after helping him with his extensive paper route one hot summer afternoon, and the excitement as he introduced me to his hideout in a subway tunnel which we accessed by scaling the granite abutment of the Manhattan Bridge on the corner of Sand and Jay streets and squeezing through some pulled back fencing under the walkway.  Bob was adventurous and courageous.  He was everything you wanted in a big brother

Submitted for Andrew Hirschhorn

August 1, 2013

With the image of his smirk accompanied by a laugh frozen in my memory, it’s hard to imagine that this same person could be so intimidating to me as a child.  “Mr. Wittich” was that big scary guy… you know that one adult you remember as a kid that for some reason instilled you with a certain fear.  But I’ll never forget the time when the big scary guy delivered one of the all-time classic lines to end the Little League baseball game for the ages.

            With seven different pitchers, a marathon of walks, and darkness threatening to end a game that lasted so long nobody knew which team was winning; Geoff Berman threw the infamous pitch that would turn a semi-comatose crowd into frenzy.  In an instant, umpire Bob Wittich was given the not so good fortune of being at the center of the biggest controversy in the history of the Larchmont Little League.  Long story short, the pitch bounced before it reached home plate and the batter somehow managed to make contact and get a hit, seemingly defying the laws of physics.  Nobody had ever seen this before… a pitch being hit on a bounce.  Is it live? Should the kid run to first base? Is it a do over?  Faster than you can grab your cell phone, the familiar roar when someone gets a hit was heard throughout and what ensued was a 10-minute display of everything that is wrong with youth sports… parents on the field screaming at each other, fingers pointing. There was yelling, shouting, flailing arms, altercation, and total pandemonium… all while innocent nine-years-olds stood dumfounded.  Soon order was restored and the game ended prematurely on account of general ridiculousness. 

            During the proverbial insincere hand shake, the once silent Little Leaguers began to argue with one another while exhausted emotionless parents methodically began packing up for the night.  “No, we won,” said one child. “No we did, it was 8 to 7,” said another.  “No it was 7 to 6, we won,” added a third child.  As the volume of voices escalated with more kids from each team joining the debate, a new altercation began to emerge.  It was then that a stern, commanding, loud voice came over the Little Leaguers from the big scary Mr. Wittich that silenced all.  “Hey stop that right now… you guys are old enough to know not to act like your parents!”  A line that cut the tension completely and belongs in the Henny Youngman Hall of Fame. I can still hear the laughs from all the adults in the background.  Mr. Wittich, your sense of humor will be missed! 

--Andrew Hirschhorn

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