Robert Irving Solow

1922 - 2017

With the spirit of a man who found beauty and wonder in the world around him, Robert Irving "Bob" Solow left us on a beautifully clear and brisk Carolina winter day on February 5, 2017.

Born on March 17, 1922, Bob was the second child of the late George and Sylvia Solow of Everett, Massachusetts. A graduate of NC State and Yale University, Bob served as a navigator on a B-17 as part of the 483rd Bomb Group, 815th Squadron stationed in Italy during WWII. His career in forest products took him to New Hampshire, West Virginia, and finally to North Carolina where he settled in Matthews.

Bob was a long time member of Temple Israel where he served as president of the social club for many years and was a regular at weekly Shabbat services.

As the center of a family that spanned four generations, Bob enjoyed celebrating monthly birthdays and holidays with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family trips to Sunset Beach and the family lake house in West Virginia, and the occasional excursion for rafting and whale watching. In his retirement Bob became a world traveler, a ballroom dancer and for many years was a regular on the tennis and pickle ball courts, and finally a devotee of water aerobics at the JCC.

Bob is survived by his three children, Ric Solow and wife Kris, and Cindy Harbacevich and husband Dan of Charlotte, and Gary Solow and wife Sharon of Hinesburg, VT; grandchildren, Jay Hooven and wife Brandi, Dustin Hooven and wife Kristin, Andy Solow, Joe Harbacevich, Anna Harbacevich, and Will Solow; and four great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 34 years Helen, his brother Alfred, and long time companions Renee Sutker and Adele Prosono.

As a father he taught us grace in moments of great loss. He had a zest for life that was infectious and knew that each day was a gift to be lived to its fullest. His joyful attitude, his smile, and the gleam in his eye were steady reminders to embrace all that is good in this life. His family will be always grateful for the companionship offered by the staff and his personal caregiver at Home Instead. His doctors and nurses in the Four Tower Hematology Oncology Unit at CMC Main as well as Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte provided our father amazing care and compassion in his final days. He passed with great dignity.

Visitation will be on Tuesday evening, February 7, 2017, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Road. The funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday, February 8th at Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road, Charlotte, with Rabbi Murray Ezring officiating. Interment will follow at Hebrew Cemetery.

Following the service the family will receive guests at a drop in celebration of Bob's life at 2109 East 5th Street, Charlotte from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Harry & Bryant is serving the family.