Robert Ludwig

Robert Louis Ludwig, 84, of Commack, New York, passed away on January 18, 2026, at Luxor Rehabilitation Facility in St. James.
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Bob was born on April 15, 1941, to Otto and Lucie Ludwig in Astoria, Queens, New York. In 1969, he moved to Commack, Long Island, with his wife, Camille D’Agrosa, and their two young children, Robert and Deborah. He attended St. John’s University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from NYU.
He spent most of his career in banking, ultimately retiring as Senior Vice President of Customer Service at IGIC in Great Neck, NY. A man of deep faith, Bob was dedicated to his church and was known by all who knew him as caring, generous, and a loyal friend.
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Many of us have warm and vivid memories of Bob. He was often the life of the party, delighting guests with silly magic tricks delivered with his signature charm.
Bob loved horse racing. Saturdays frequently meant a trip to the OTB with his son to place a few bets on the thoroughbreds. Most memorable were the annual family trips to Belmont Park. While his wife prepared lunch in the picnic area, Bob would take the kids to the paddock to pick out the winning horse.

Though he didn’t cook often, when he did, it was unforgettable. One German dish was reserved for special occasions: sauerbraten with red cabbage and spaetzle. Making spaetzle by hand requires extensive mixing to create air bubbles and gluten—a technique he called "zufting". No one could quite match Bob’s mastery with a wooden spoon.

Nothing defined Bob more than his love for the Michigan Wolverines. Growing up in Astoria, he never cared much for the New York sports teams. Instead, he cheered for the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and his idol, Al Kaline. In 1983, after his son enrolled at the University of Michigan, he added the Wolverines to his fandom. Soon it became rare to see Bob without sporting something Maize and Blue, and his home quickly filled with Michigan memorabilia.

This passion set the stage for one of his most beloved traditions: the New Year’s Bowl Party. In years when Michigan played in a bowl game (which was most years), Bob hosted a huge gathering with ample food and drink. But don’t expect to eat if Michigan was losing! Guests arrived to find themselves adorned in Michigan gear and were expected to cheer “Go Blue!” at precisely the right moments.
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Bob retired from the banking industry in 2001 as a Senior Vice President at IGIC. He began his career in 1960 as a bank teller at Union Dime Savings in Midtown Manhattan. There he met many lifelong friends—and his beloved wife, Camille—who passed away in 2022 after nearly 60 years of marriage.

Bob was an avid collector. His stamp collection was large, his coin collection even larger, and he enjoyed collecting a variety of other items, including action figures, Christmas ornaments, Beanie Babies, and other treasures of slightly more questionable value.

He loved gardening and took special pride in his fresh cherry tomatoes and heirloom varieties. He often saved seeds from his harvest to plant the following year.

Most of all, Bob loved winning prizes. He could spend hours filling out sweepstakes entries, guided by a monthly contest newsletter highlighting the best prizes. Some of his notable winnings included a trip to Tahiti, a fur coat, a warehouse shopping spree (which he won twice), a NASCAR racing weekend in Michigan, custom ice skates, and countless T shirts.
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Raised Roman Catholic, Bob began practicing consistently at his mother’s dying request. He attended Mass every Sunday and most holy days. He taught catechism at Christ the King Parish for many years. When he was still able to drive, he supported various ministries, including one that assisted seniors who needed transportation.

He completed several novenas, including the Novena of Divine Mercy, which he prayed each Lenten season. This November, he prayed the Novena for the Dead on behalf of his wife, Camille, asking God to keep him alive long enough to complete it. In December, he gratefully announced that God had “kept His end of the bargain.”

Most noteworthy was his completion of the First Fridays devotion. It took several year to complete. Finally, after completing the devotion, he returned to his desk at work to find a photo of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in an envelope—sent unsolicited from a random church in Missouri. That photo now rests beside him in his casket.

In his final years, Bob turned much of his energy toward his spiritual life. He spent this time getting right with God—praying, reflecting, and participating in devotions that brought him comfort, peace, and clarity. His faith was not something he simply inherited; it became something he practiced with intention.
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Bob Ludwig leaves behind a fine legacy. His successful career, intelligent investments, and frugal lifestyle allowed him to live comfortably and provide for his family’s future. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He leaves behind a legacy of stability, support, and love—a legacy that will continue through his children, Robert and Deborah; his son in law Gregory; his grandchildren Ryan, Sean, Kris, and Alex; his brother Raymond; and all those who were touched by his presence.