Bob Tashman Obituary

Bob Tashman, age 53, loving cousin of Barbara (David ) Weinstock, Robert (Mary Kelly) Mindell, Benjamin (Delia O'Hara) Mindell; dear friend of Nina Brodsky, Larry Jarvik, Nancy Strickland, Doron Weber, Steven Wasserstein, Nancy Heneson, Elena Brunet, Gary Gerstle, Jacob Epstein, Catherine Tice and Claude Cazzulino. Services Wednesday, 11 a.m., at Chicago Jewish Funerals Chapel, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Rd. (one block North of Lake Cook Rd.), Buffalo Grove. Interment Sunset Memorial Lawns. Memorials in his name to Pan CAN, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals, 847-229-8822, www.cjfinfo.com.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 19, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bob Tashman

5 Entries

Lucretia Stewart

January 30, 2008

I just heard about Bob's death. We worked together at Granta in the 1980s and he always made me laugh. Sadly we lost touch, but I am very sad to hear of his passing. I know things weren't easy for him in the last years and I wish I could have been of more help to him.
Lucretia Stewart

Josh Passell

January 21, 2008

Bob Tashman was one of the most remarkable people I've ever known. I first met him in the mid-1980s at the New York Review of Books, where I'd loiter in the doorway of his grotto-like office to talk about everything from the Mets to the Met. Our friendship continued in London, where he worked for Granta, and I for Index on Censorship. Even after he moved to Chicago I kept in touch by phone when I later moved to Boston.

Except for the last few years, when I just let time slip away.

I only learned of Bob's death today from a chance Internet search, and I am deeply saddened by the news. He had an enormous intellect and a wicked sense of humor, both of which I admired and enjoyed. His imitations of NYRB staffers were brilliant and pointed. He once allowed me to read an excerpt of a story (or novel, I can't remember) he was working on, and I was amazed at its wit and charm. Far from employing his extensive knowledge in a ponderous tome of portent and symbolism, he had written a delightful tale with talking cows and other joys. I think he was relieved and grateful for my sincere enthusiasm, and I hope it encouraged him to keep working (though I guess he never published it).

Even though I hadn't spoken to him in years, it gave me comfort to know that there was a world with Bob Tashman in it. I feel his passing heavily, and find the world an emptier place without him.

I note with sad irony that Bob died on my birthday. I'll have reason to remember him--not that I could ever forget him.

God bless, Bob.

David Haettenschwiller

November 4, 2007

I had the privilege of knowing Bob when we were at Brown University 1972-76. Together we spent many an hour discussing history, philosophy, Karl Marx, and much more. I recall his unusually keen intellect and wry sense of humor. Regrettably, we did not stay in touch after Brown, and it is only by a chance Google search that I learned of Bob's passing. My thoughts are now with Bob's family and friends. What an admirable fellow!

Larry Jarvik

June 22, 2007

Bob was a good friend through thick and thin over a quarter of a century in New York, London, and Chicago. He was a true intellectual highbrow who valued knowledge, culture, and music--and wanted to share his enthusiasm with others; he loved life, and enjoyed it to the maximum; he laughed, he danced, he fought hard. Bob took us to concerts, films, theatres, restaurants, debated books and authors. When he could no longer attend events in person, he insisted we go and tell him about the performance. He introduced us to the late quartets of Shostakovich and Eugene O'Neill's Moon for the Misbegotten. In other words, Bob was not onlay a cultured gentleman, he was a real mensch.

Carmi Fazio

June 19, 2007

Bob, Mary, and Nina
It was an honor to meet and take care of Bob in his last days, I will miss that sly smile and his strength to live life on his terms, My sympathies to you all, Carm RN

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