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1959 - 2020

BORN

1959

DIED

2020

About

New York University Redwood High School

Robert Haber Obituary

Robert 'Rob' Harold Haber

Rob was born in San Francisco. He died unexpectedly at the age of 60 on Sunday, March 29 2020 in Portland, Oregon where he lived. He was the son of Robert Haber and Barbara Joy Fishstrom Haber. His mother, father and eldest brother, Jim, preceded him in death. He is survived by his younger brother, Tom, his stepmother, Pamela Haber and his step-siblings, Kevin, Courtney, Scott and Laurie McKean. Also very important to Rob was his nephew, Robert A., son of his brother, Tom and Maristela de Abreu.
Rob went to Redwood High School in Larkspur, California. He later graduated from New York University, then went on to the American Film Institute in Los Angeles to pursue aspects of his writing.
In 1997, Rob married Krysia Kocjan and began what he said were some of his happiest years though in the last few years until her death in 2007, they had to battle her final sickness together.
Articulate and often deeply contemplative, Rob was working on writing stories that he said were semi-autobiographical. He stated that this was, in part, an attempt to sort out the tangle left in the wake of his mother's and eldest brother's deaths. In this pursuit, renewing contact with cousins on his mother's side meant a lot to him. As a writer, he was empathetic and clearly relished hearing other peoples' stories, whether those of friends or characters in the books he cherished.
Rob was uplifted by the simple pleasures of hiking in the mountains of the Northwest, biking, reading, listening to music, playing with his cats and spending time in person or on the phone with friends. He had a goofy laugh and irreverent sense of the absurd. Always a movie junkie, he particularly enjoyed bantering afterwards with friends about the film. Contrary to his nature as an introvert, Rob loved karaoke, and friends said he belted out his song of choice unabashedly. On a more serious note, Rob was always a warrior for the causes he espoused.
The family will gather in his honor at a later date. He will be greatly missed by his family and the friends he loved.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 10 to Apr. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Haber

15 Entries

Sophie Castro-Davis

February 21, 2021

I've been thinking about Rob as we approach March of 2021. I miss him and am grateful to have known him.

Roland Levin

November 15, 2020

I was a friend of Tom's growing up and remember Bob well. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Heather Johnson

June 14, 2020

worked with Rob at Powell's in the late '80 and early '90s. He developed a deep friendship with Peter Nagelvoort who worked in my department. Great guy. One day, I was with my husband walking into the front door of Powell's, my husband looked over and said, "Rob Haber". I was so shocked that their paths had crossed, but they did at World College West in Marin County. My husband, Bruce, told me a hilarious story about a one man play he wrote at WCW called "Rock In My Shoe". It was totally absurdist, mostly just Rob walking around the stage, yelling "Rock in my shoe!" Instant WCW celebrity for that. I'm so sad to hear of his passing. He was one of a kind and made the world a better place. Heather Johnson

George

May 26, 2020

My condolences I did not know Robert but I did know Krysia.
I roadied with NAB for a while knew Tom and Robin . Toured around UK ( in fact adopted me) Krysia was Magical I am glad she found a Partner with Robert who was with her at the end.

Allan Tierney

May 11, 2020

Sadly I did not know Mr Haber personally, however I knew Mr Haber's wife Krysia as a beloved friend in the mid to late Sixties. I lived about five minutes walk away from Krysia's home in Milngavie, Scotland. Krysia was perhaps the most gentle and most talented person I ever met. If she chose Rob then I know, as a vital and creative spirit she would have chosen well. I was informed of Mr Haber's death by another member of the folk group Krysia was a member of when she lived in Scotland, Tom Hoy. We missed her so much when she left for the USA but it is a consolation that she found such a clearly good and intelligent man in Mr Haber. I am very sorry for your loss. Yours sincerely, Allan Tierney.

Lorien Pritchard

April 26, 2020

Robert...Im thinking of you today. Looking back and wishing we had the time to spend visiting in person in the last 20 years. At least we had Facebook. Taking care of you boys during my high school years, I hold on to the memories. So much goes on in our lives, so many changes. I shall burn a candle in my heart for you, that you will soar above and here on earth in our hearts and minds. Affectionately, Lorien

April 18, 2020

My sister and I lived next-door to the Haber boys in Mill Valley, Calif.. I was their babysitter. When they moved to the other side of town and I was in high school, I once again took care of the kids. Bobby (Rob) was quite the mischievous one. But he always had a warm sweet smile on his face and kept his cool during some of the most dramatic times. I regret not being closer as adults. He was a Prince!

Patricia Mindham

April 18, 2020

Tom - Didn't know your brother but I went to grammar school (Lawton) with your mother Barbara. Hadn't seen her since we graduated but I remember her fondly. She was very well liked. We called her 'Fishy'. Shortest one in the class. Sorry for your loss.

April 16, 2020

I first met Bob (as he was then known) in freshman drama at Redwood High. He was sweet, funny, articulate. I never heard anyone say an unkind word about him. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Know that even at age 14, he was becoming the wonderful being we all now miss. By the way, our first scene together was from Neil Simon's "The Star Spangled Girl."
Lori Fong
San Rafael, CA

Alana Smaldone

April 14, 2020

Always a happy time when we met in Portland. Thank you for being my karaoke duet partner. Wish you had come to the Pickles....

Mary Baker

April 12, 2020

Rob was a great neighbor and part of our apartment community. He was always there to great you with a smile and an hello. He liked throwing balls for my dog in the backyard of our complex and always had great stories about his cats. He was part of our community garden every year and I will miss him sharing about his writing and his life. Rest in Peace Rob you will be missed.

Gloria Moe

April 11, 2020

Rob was an amazing man, and joy to be around. He will be missed so much. So many great memories with Rob that will always be cherished and looked back upon. The world was a better place with him here, and we are deeply sad at his death.
I can still here his laugh which was so great and infectious.
Gloria Moe and Brian Doerter

Casey Payne & Monica Gray

April 10, 2020

We loved Rob so much and are thankful for the time we spent with him. We met him on a snowshoeing trip five years ago and remained in touch since then, sharing a love of movies and hiking. We are so saddened by this news and will miss him dearly.

April 10, 2020

Rob Haber was like a brother to me. We were close friends for 32 years, having met at Powell's Books in Portland in 1988. Rob was a wonderful supportive friend and was the most empathetic person I've ever known. We had many adventures together and shared a love of movies.
When we saw a film together, the most important thing to us was that we agree in our critique. Walking out of "Earth Girls Are Easy" with Rob cemented our friendship. We loved films starring Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert. We almost came to blows disagreeing about Chinatown, but instead made it a running joke.
Rob was a dear friend to my first wife and our son, and served as my best man at my second wedding.
I am devastated by this loss.

Paula Springer

April 10, 2020

will miss you. thanks for your heart.

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