Robert E Oelkers

The Oelkers sisters are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved brother, Robert Oelkers, on November 28, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Robert was born on December 11, 1952, in Newark, N.J. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Grammar School, Essex Catholic High School, and Rutgers University.

He began his career as a typesetter and later worked in graphic design.

Those who knew him well will recall his quick wit and infectious giggle. But Robert also had a serious side; he thought deeply about issues and was always open to intelligent debate and discussion.

Robert also had a keen musical intelligence. He was an accomplished acoustic guitarist who, in recent decades, explored the world of electronic music, posting many of his own compositions online. He was an avid reader who also enjoyed completing daily crossword puzzles and competing with his sisters in word games, such as Wordle.

Robert will be greatly missed by his sisters, Christine Venable (Peter), Barbara Kearnes, Joanne Gerst (Peter), Mary Beth Oelkers-Keegan (Andrew Keegan), and Judi Caruana (Ron Sharo). He loved his family deeply, especially all of his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Emil Oelkers. A memorial will be held in Florida at a later time.