Robert Diamond Obituary
Robert Diamond
June 19, 1931 - May 31, 2023
Aventura , Florida - My father Robert (Bob) Diamond passed away peacefully on May 31st, 2023, at his home in Aventura Florida, and he will be laid to rest on Sunday, June 4th, 2023, so that he and my mother Arlene can be reunited as one for eternity.
My dad was born in Newark NJ and when he was 14 years old, he met and fell in love with my mother, who was 13 years old and who lived in the next town over - Hillside.
When it came time to attend high school, since my grandparents lived on the Newark / Hillside border, my father opted to attend Hillside HS, so that he could be with my mother. My father became captain of Hillside HS's football team, earning All-State 1st Team honors and my mother was captain of the cheerleaders.
My father earned an athletic scholarship to Franklin & Marshall University, where he became a starting offensive guard for 3 years for its football team; a member of the school's only undefeated football season, and was honored in its athletic hall of fame. He then graduated from Rutgers's Law School and became designated a Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the New Jersey Supreme Court and became a founding member of the NJ chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Separate from his love of the practice of law, in response to the "Stonewall riots" in June of 1969, my father became an activist for the Gay community, offering legal services to those discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. In 1970, my parents marched in the nation's 1st gay pride parade in New York City, and they continued to do so annually for the next 15 years. My father and mother also pursued their dream of giving back to those less fortunate, including their involvement with reoccurring U.S.-sanctioned travel to Cuba, to bring needed medical supplies to those in need and to many other charitable causes.
In 1987, I joined my father in the practice of law, and the firm became known as Diamond & Diamond. My dad then retired from the practice of law in 1990, when he and my mother moved to Aventura Florida full time so that my father could pursue his first love, teaching American history at FIU.
Through his life of service and giving, my father was Mayor, Magistrate, Police Commissioner, Fire Commissioner, and every other elected position available while living in Hillside NJ. After moving to Aventura Florida, my father resumed his involvement with his community and again became a commissioner in Aventura, focused on helping those around him.
Notwithstanding all of my father's other accomplishments, he and my mother were wonderful grandparents who loved their grandchildren and who spent a tremendous amount of time with them. After every football, baseball, wrestling, and lacrosse match for both boys, if they were unable to personally attend, they wanted to know every detail of each game and they would sit and watch videos of every wrestling match for both boys. My parents loved both boys dearly and have left them with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
There are no words to sufficiently describe the amazing impact that my dad had on me, my family, and all those who knew him. Everyone who knew him would universally state that he was a consummate gentleman. Eternally outgoing and loving, his passion for life extended to each and every person he encountered, both personally and professionally.
My father passed away shortly before his 93rd birthday and is survived by his son, Richard, daughter-in-law Denise, grandchildren Jonathan (and his wife, Kelly), and Tyler, his devoted caregiver, Patricia, brother Michael and sister-in-law Harriet (and their 2 daughters). He is also survived by his other son, David, and daughter, Vivian, their respective spouses, Sharon and Glenn, and their respective children, Mathew, Elise, and Joshua.
My father will be laid to rest next to my mother at the Star of David Memorial Chapel in North Lauderdale Florida on Sunday, June 4th, 2023 at 10:30 am.
Published by the Miami Herald on Jun. 3, 2023.