Robert P. Goldfarb, 69, of Bethlehem, PA died Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born August 17, 1945 in NYC, NY he was the son of the late Morris and Muriel (Wartels) Goldfarb.
He was a graduate of the Petty School and received his BA in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. He also earned his Ph.D. in American Civilization from the University of PA. A leader and mentor for many, he owned Craft Rug Mills in Easton for many years before joining the MCS Industries, Inc., Forks Twp. as Vice President for Wall Décor in 1994. He was responsible for building Wall Décor within MCS to where it was identified as the top company in the US in that field. He was also a champion tennis player, winning many tournaments over his lifetime, including the North Carolina State Championship for his age group in his later years. A longtime member of the Northwood Racquet Club, he also enjoyed reading and time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 19 years: Beth (Sharp) Goldfarb; a son: David Morel of Tempe, AZ; a grandson: Race Morel; Beth’s children: Clifford Eisenhut of NYC, NY, Kevin Eisenhut and his son, Reese of W. Lawn, PA, Joshua Weckerle of Bethlehem, PA; and his first wife: Catherine Goldfarb. He was predeceased by a son: Grant Goldfarb and a sister Rona Sussman.
Services will be held at Noon on Wednesday (Oct. 29) in the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton, PA, with a viewing from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Marty Goldfine
November 6, 2014 at 5:20 pm
I was Bob’s classmate both at Peddie and Penn, and I fondly remember Bob’s quick smile when we bumped in to each other on campus, and traded quick catch-up stories. The news of his passing is startling, upsetting, and is received with passive resignation — it’s getting to be a bad habit, hearing and reading these bulletins. Please accept my condolences, ——I trust Bob has left you all with warm and wonderful memories.
Gene (Noonoo) Newman
November 6, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Bob (I sometimes called him “Gooze, his high school nickname) was one of my closest friends at The Peddie School. Bob was a true scholar, also irreverent, sarcastic, fun-loving and caring; all attributes of a good guy and great friend.
So many memories involve Bob. He, his roommate Gail Mitchell and I waiting in Bob’s room in Coleman senior year, while Kugler, Strunk and a third classmate whose name escapes me (They were known as the Peddie Marauders) donned black clothes and ski masks and armed with walkie talkies proceeded to “break into” Longstreet Hall Canteen at midnight to make us all liverwurst sandwiches with mayo, lettuce and tomato on white bread.How cool was that? At the time, very cool.
Two other memories of Bob stay with me. After graduating Peddie, I spent a few days at Bob’s parents’ home in Easton, Pa. We played on his great clay tennis court and I went out with his next door neighbore, a girl nicknamed “Goose”. Then we drove in Bob’s Gun Metal Gray Thundrbird to Ocean City, NJ and had a great week-end with Gail Mitchell at his Dad’s Bed and Breakfast.
So many memories. Fortunately I spent a few days with Bob a year ago and attended a pro tennis match in Delray Beach, FL with him.
Rest in peace, Bob. It’s trite, but “The world is a better place because of your presence”.
Noonoo.
Clarence Kugler
November 6, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Frankly, Bob was one of our classmates I was most looking forward to seeing next February at our reunion in Florida. Just the thought of being around him for a weekend had me laughing.
Bob was my roommate in my junior and senior years at Peddie. In our sophomore year, with my mother recently deceased and with my father living in Florida, Thanksgiving promised to be a bleak celebration for me. However, it turned out to be one of my most memorable Thanksgivings as the Goldfarb Family invited me to Easton, Pa to their home for the Thanksgiving weekend and made me part of their family celebration. Fortunately for me, I was able to communicate to Bob recently just how much I treasured my Easton Thanksgiving and the impact of that celebration in combating my personal depression. Bob was one of the most generous friends I have ever had with an abundant sense of humor. What most other Peddie students might not know about Bob or “Goldie” as many called him was the extreme modesty he exhibited toward his athletic and intellectual prowess. In essence, Bob is an unforgettable friend for me and I offer my deepest sympathy to
his family. Clarence “Kugs” Kugler
Gail Mitchell
November 6, 2014 at 11:15 pm
I just learned of Bob’s passing. I’m crushed. Too young with lots of pazazz left.
Bob was my best memory of The Peddie School. I always looked up to him. Much smarter than me. I would get caught; he would get away with it. A true gauge of intelligence. We spent many hours at school together sharing important irreverences of the day and scheming more trouble.
Bob and I also spent quite a bit of time together away from Peddie while on holiday- usually at the Jersey shore. After the school years Bob and I got together a couple of times ( certainly not enough times). He and his son Grant and I shared a wonderful dinner at my Collegeville, Pa. restaurant some years back. We spoke recently promising to hook up ‘soon’. Not ‘soon’ enough. I will always love you, Bob.
Mitchell