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Robert Brackman Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Brackman
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Larry Finkelstein
November 22, 2020
Life goes by so fast, wish I would have had more time to get to know Bobby.
Keith Kimmel
January 22, 2007
I was sad to hear the news of Bob's passing. My memories are fond - filled with thoughts of a generous, sensitive, man, adventurous & kind. My best to the Brackman family.
Marc Grossberg
December 31, 2005
Bobby and Diane were the paradigm of a happily married couple. I miss him.
Leah Taylor Roy
December 12, 2005
To Bob's Family,
I was deeply saddened to read of Bobby's death from Bears. I spent time with Bobby at the institute first as a fellow student and later as a mentor and faciliator. I admired his dedication to his own growth and to his family. He was a very sweet man...and I've learned so much more about him from reading your words. This world has lost a lovely soul.
Condolences to all of you,
Leah
allan klein
December 8, 2005
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Dave Cook
December 8, 2005
What a beautiful life and what a great way to celebrate it.
Tom Hayden
December 7, 2005
Diana, Adam, Lauren, and Paul - There are 6,446,131,400ish people in this world. I consider myself one of the lucky few thousand or so that knew Bob Brackman. Even though I knew Bob only a short while he had a profound influence on me. I had recently composed an e-mail asking him if he would consider mentoring me. I did not send it because I felt it would be too much of a burden on his time. That was a foolish thought. Because I believe that Bob would have made the time. If it were possible, Bob would have made the time for all of the 6,446,131,400ish people in this world. And not one of them would have walked away empty handed. He was that kind of man.
Raun
December 6, 2005
Lauren, Adam, Paul, and Diana,
Although we've spoken, I wanted to write here to tell you how incredibly lucky I feel to have had Bobby in my life. I so enjoyed our time together, discussing our lives, dissecting our beliefs, joking around, planning talks in Houston, etc. Bobby was so kind to me and such a joy to be friends with. I felt a connection with him as soon as we met, and, throughout the years, I felt truly fortunate to get to know him in a deeper and deeper way. I totally enjoyed my trips to see him and all of you, and I also loved our times in MA. Last spring, when we finally got to take a program together, with both of us as students, it felt so meaningful to me - for the two of us to work on our "ish" together. I found myself continually inspired by Bobby - how he opened his heart to me, how he treated all of you, how he kept working on himself, and how he made such an impact on the world around him. Bobby Brackman - what a guy, what a rock star, what a sweet friend to me.
My best wishes and sweetest thoughts are with the four of you. Bobby told me many times how cared for he felt by all of you and how much his relationaships with you meant to him.
You loved him well.
Jocelyn (Rosenthal) Friedman
December 5, 2005
Brackman Family,
You all have been in my thoughts and prayers and I send my deepest regret for your loss. From the brief time I spent at your house and with your family through high school and college, there was no doubt that you all have such a special relationship with eachother. I know you will find comfort in eachother during this difficult time and in knowing HOW MANY people will truly miss Bobby.
With love,
Jocelyn (Rosenthal) Friedman
Amy, Evan, Madelyn & Hannah Charles
December 3, 2005
We were so sorry to hear about your loss. We all really enjoyed meeting Bob recently, and felt the warmth of your family as you welcomed our family into your home.
Ben Russell and Vikki Tramell
December 2, 2005
Adam
On one of our last visits with your father, Ben and I complimented him for raising such a fine son. We are glad we had the oportunity to share this with him, as it was wonderful to watch his eyes sparkle and his face light up as he thanked us. While we had many mutual friends in common with your father, our paths had only crossed in the last few years. We were looking forward to more years to get to know him better. I know you and your family will miss him. The world, too, will be a lesser place for his passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Yehuda Lave
December 2, 2005
My condolences
Colby
December 2, 2005
I wanted to say that I am sorry to hear about your loss. I never had the chance to meet your dad, but would have liked to have known him. He sounds like a very special person.
Adam
December 2, 2005
PS. Also make sure to check out the photo gallery on the right.
Adam Brackman
December 1, 2005
On behalf of my family, we truly appreciate all of the love and support you have shown. For those of you who mised the funeral, we had a New Orleans Jazz band that paraded in and sang a few songs, then led the procesion out to the cemetary, Jazz Funeral style. Dad loved it! Below is the eulogy for those who missed it. there are alot of lessons that dad taught us and I hope that by sharing them with you, that they can make a difference in your life.
Peace and Love,
Adam and Family
Very rarely in life does a person die without any regrets. I can sincerely say that my father had none. He has no regrets about not telling his family how much he loves them often enough, no regrets about not spending enough time with friends, and he has no regrets about working to much and not relaxing enough. I was recently asked the question at a self help seminar of “At what age are you going to die”? And each person had their own answer. Ok, the question continued, what if when you reach that age, they found a medical miracle that extended your life an extra 10 years, what would you do with that newfound time?” My answer and others around me of course had to do with spending more time with my family, traveling, learning, enjoying life more, and working on personal growth. The question then came full circle, to ask, “why wait until then to do these things? Why not make time now?” After the seminar, I went through the same exercise with my dad and was pleased to hear him say the answer that I already knew that he would. “Adam, im already doing everything I would do with my extra time, Im living my life to the fullest in the present.” About 18 years ago, at the age of 43, my dad had his first heart attack. That was a real wakeup call for him. He changed the way he lived his life, and made sure that those who he loved knew it, and just as importantly, that they knew he was there to accept theirs. He knew that those 18 extra years of life that he had was a gift, and he was going to take full advantage of it. Dad’s new slogan in life was “Work like you don’t need the money, love like you have never been hurt and dance like no ones watching”. He did each of those with passion.
Our dad taught us how important it is to appreciate the little things in life. The value of a nap in a hammock, sitting on a beach watching the waves crash, or taking a detour off the beaten path to watch the sunset.
My brother, sister and I are so lucky to have such a great role model. Someone to show us how to love a wife for over 40 years, how to raise a beautiful daughter and teach two sons the lessons of life. Someone who taught us how to care for his own parents as they grow older. Someone who taught us that its ok to march to a different drum and to never stop challenging yourself. Someone who taught us that you don’t need the undercoat when you buy a car and if they etched the serial numbers in the windows, don’t you dare pay for it. We were truly blessed for the extra time that we were given to spend with our father and thankful that we were able to tell him how much he meant to us while he was alive and cherish those memories now that he is gone.
One of the neatest things that my father did was to take each of his kids on a one on one trip. I’m still not sure if the reason for him doing this was because he wanted to have quality time with us as individuals or because he would get to travel to more places... I guess it was a bit of each. On these trips, he would take time to listen to whatever challenges we were facing in life, and ask us the right questions to help us define who we are. Some of the trip highlights are when Daddy took Paul to New York to see the stock exchange, when Lauren and he went on an African safari, and when Dad and I saw some breathtaking sunsets in Croatia. All treasured memories that shaped our lives. Although his favorite travel companion was my mom, she was content to stay at home and clean out his closet, remodel the kitchen, and redo the bedroom.
No word describes the love that my father had for my mother more than the word “tender”. They are truly Besheret, “meant to be” he gave her pillows on her couch that have special quotes on them. One reads “Your you warms my me”, and another “happiness is being married to your best friend”. Even after 40 years, they would still write each other love notes that they would leave on the dresser, in the car and on the bathroom mirror. One morning she woke up and found a note on her computer that said “You are the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow”. Another time, he put a cd in her car and set it up so that when she got in, Their favorite love song came on, with the words “If I should live for ever and all my dreams come true, my memories of love would be of you” My parents were two teenagers in love for over 40 years.
The night before my father passed away, my mom was home watching over my grandparents. She went to services at Emanuel, as she often did with my dad, and that night Cantor Vadiim played the violin. As he played, my mom reflected on what a beautiful life she has had with Bobby. When she got home that night, she took time and told him how much she really appreciated him. How much she loved him. How grateful she was for how he helped raise her children. For how well he treated her mother. For how much he has opened up her eyes and held her hand through life. For how much he had touched her life in the last 43 years.
This moment of thanks was not isolated. My parents were never afraid to show their love and renew their passion for one another. Now that daddy is gone, No one in my family has regrets. We have each told him many times how much we love him, how much he has taught us and shaped the course of our lives…
There is so much to learn from our fathers life. My family and I encourage all of you to embrace those you love and tell them how much they mean to you. Do it everyday. For when you are sure that they know how special they are to you, it makes saying goodbye a little easier.
Dad was never afraid to challenge his own beliefs and was always willing to learn, let go of what he had learned and try something new. He lived buy the saying “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”, and for him the teacher would often take many forms.
I am so thankful for the time that I was able to spend with my dad, watching and learning from him. It has been very special for me to see how, as I branch out on my own career helping to revitalize the urban core, that he has been my biggest cheerleader and fan. Dad was always supportive of what I was doing, and would even join me at ULI conferences about sustainable development and smart growth. It really came full circle for me when I started to see him caring not only about how much money was made, but about what happened to a property after it was sold. Where he had only pursued the highest profit in the past, he now cared about what the sale meant to the neighborhood. I recently overheard him at a conference talking to a developer about one of his midtown properties that had a beautiful tree lined street. “How much is the land?” The developer asked. “$40 psf”, my father replied, quickly adding, but $35 if you do mixed-use and save the trees”. I smiled and at that moment, I felt pride for him that a father feels watching a son grow up.
I remember when I was 16 and mom pulled me aside one day and told me that dad was having trouble with something. His father died when he was 16 and now that I was that age, he didn’t know what a father was supposed to do. It was unchartered territory for him. Well dad, I can say you did great. You taught me how to love, how to teach, how to admit when your wrong, and how to say your sorry with sincerity.
Lauren and dad had a very special relationship. They were never afraid to peel off the layers of the onion and explore deeper. In one conversation about death, and how each would feel about their own passing, he told her that if he died, he would die a happy man, having felt blessed in every way. He knows how special his friendships are and knows that he has made a difference in peoples lives.
The relationship that Bobby had with his mother was special. She has a saying that A son is a son until he finds a wife, and a daughter is a daughter for life, but Dorothy will always quickly add “except bobby, he stays a son forever and even comes with a special daughter for me.
Bobbbys father Irvin always told him and Rochelle to “live each day as if it was their last” and although they often took advantage of this saying and used it as an excuse to get away with trouble at a young age, the grew to realize how valuable that lesson is.
When dad married mom, he got a two for one deal and now had a second mother, Shirley. He was as sweet to her as he was my mother, and when she moved to a highrise on the 22nd floor, he would often make time to come watch the sunset with her.
Harry, Doug, Avi, Donald, Stanley, Rex, Terri, Lee, Jeff, the Schecters, Marc, Roger, Rabbi Walter and Dawn. Some of you are family and some of you are best friends, and its hard to tell the difference. Dad loves each of you for a special reason and our family is blessed that he brought you into our lives.
It has been amazing to see how many children our father really had. So many people have approached our family this week and said that he was like a father to them. Dad had a gift. He could help people see that the problems in their life were not just problems to try and seek an answer to, but a window into something deeper. A chance to look within, at your beliefs and values and reevaluate how they are serving you. He truly believed that Happiness is a choice, and we all make the decision of how we want to look at the cards we have been dealt.
Dad was never afraid to stand up for the little guy, or reach out a hand to change a life. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and I started working to relocate musicians from the 6th ward, dad was the first to jump on board, offering up some free housing and even going through his closet to help out. Anytime the New Orleans musicians were playing Jazz, dad was the first one out on the dancefloor, dancing like noone was watching, but they all were, and they were smiling.
When Hurricane Rita hit and everyone was evacuating Houston, our family hunkered down for the storm. Dad saw on the TV that people were stranded on I-10 and wanted to help. He took cases of water that mom has stocked up on and drove to the entrance ramp. He walked up the ramp and started handing out bottles of water to stranded motorists. When he ran out of water, a Fema truck saw what he was doing and gave him a couple of extra cases. Dad was never afraid to go out on a limb and make a difference.
Even a moment with dad could change your life. He would send out ripples of love to everyone. Even if you were lucky enough to happen to sit next to him on a plane, when you landed, your outlook on life was different. As I look out at all of you today, I see that those ripples have come back as a tidal wave.
My father died the way he lived. He was on vacation with Lauren at a health spa. The last program that they participated in was a group circle where the leader asked each of the participants “What do you want to change about your life” and when it was my fathers turn, he responded that he wanted to be less judgmental on himself and more open minded in life. As I am surrounded today by people who really knew my father, you also know that there is no one less judgmental and more open minded than him. I find beauty that his last wishes in life were to do more, be more and love more.
A week ago today, Dad celebrated his 62nd birthday. Surrounded by friends and loved ones, my mom made a toast for him. And although I have told him a thousand times what Im about to say, I didn’t take the opportunity to toast him then, so Id like to now. “Dad, on your birthday, I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. I am so blessed to have you be so deeply involved in my life, not just as a dad, but as a business partner and a best friend. The time that we spend together is special, and we are lucky that we both know that. Thank you for everything you have done for me and the family. To your life!”
Love Like You Have Never Been Hurt
December 1, 2005
Dance Like No One is Watching
December 1, 2005
Work Like You Dont Need The Money
December 1, 2005
Hanging Out
December 1, 2005
Michelle Moses
December 1, 2005
Mrs.Diana
I had the pleasure of meeting you and Mr.Brackman two and half years ago by working for Mrs.D. Brackman.
You and Mr.Brackman both inspired me to get my RealEstate License.I truly admire the love you two shared with everyone. When you and Mr.Brackman walked into a room the warmth and love was present. My prayers are with you and your family.
Micol (Giovanella) Rosen
December 1, 2005
Brackman family,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss of Bobby. What an incredible man with an amazing family! I know that I was fortunate to meet and spend time with him and all of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Eric Morley
December 1, 2005
Lauren,
How fortunate I was to have met your father that day two summers ago in Utah. A gracious and loving man he was. May you and your family be surrounded by the comfort and strength of those who love you. I hope to see you very soon
Judy Simon
November 30, 2005
Dear Diana,
I am so sad to hear about Bobby. He was always such a warm and friendly man. The world will be a different place without Bobby in it. His memory will live on in all of our hearts. I send my love to you and your children.
Morrie & Eliane Sandler
November 30, 2005
Bob had a gift of making us feel worthy and special. His love of life was contagious, his compassion and understanding great.
Heartfelt condolences to Diana and the Kids. With much love, Morrie and Eliane Sanlder
Dick Letwak
November 30, 2005
Dear Diana, and family
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will forever be thankful for having known Bob both as a friend and business partner. He was in a class by himself and I will cherish the memories of him for the rest of my life.
November 30, 2005
Dear Dianie' and family -
May fond memories of your beloved and delightful husband and dad bring you comfort in this most difficult time. with love - Leslie, Melissa and Marla Shields
Carrie Draper
November 30, 2005
Brackman Family just wanted you to know Iam thinking of you at this time.Bob was always so nice to everyone when he came to our office we will miss him
Ed Nepveux
November 30, 2005
Diana and Family,
I was fortunate to meet Bob and Diana 4 years ago. We had some great conversations that I will never forget. I consider myself a lucky man to have known him and seen the way he expressed his love to both family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Stacey (Burke) & Jason Presley
November 29, 2005
We were so so sad to hear this news over here in Israel. Jason and I are devastated for all of you in the Brackman family. We have always felt your family to be a model of what a close, loving family should be. Please know that we are thinking of you all so much during this difficult time. We send out prayers and love to you all from Jerusalem. We wish we could be there to visit you in person.
Jeanene and Billy Hanna
November 29, 2005
Dear Dianna: It is with much shock and sadness that I heard about Bobby's death. I remember Bobby and you with such fondness. Memories of our travels together are especially fun. No one had children then???Imagine! You and Bobby were blessed with a loving marriage and beautiful children.
I will miss seeing him unexpectedly and always with such joy.
Please remember that Billy and I hold you in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you and Bless you now and always.
Bryan Dunson
November 29, 2005
My deepest condolences go out to the Brackmen family.Bob did "raise the bar". You will be truly missed.
Anthony Phifer
November 29, 2005
Dianna, I was fortunate to meet Bobby, you and your family through my son, Jeremy's scouting activity at Temple Emanu El.Bobby,was the most kind,caring man I ever met. May God's blessing be with you always, Tony.
Harry Bookey
November 29, 2005
Diana
Bob Brackman was one of the most gentlemanly persons I have ever met in our industry. In recent years most of my correspondence with Bob was about everything but business. Whether it was Broadway plays, Tuscany, meditation,religion, family,Bob had a great interest. We will all miss him greatly.
Aviva Sufian
November 29, 2005
To the incredible Brackman family-
I am sending you all of the love I can gather up in my arms, knowing that, no matter what, it is an insufficient expression of my feelings of deep sympathy and sadness. I love you all and will forever be inspired by the way your father lived his life-- to the absolute fullest, and with a smile and charisma that you will each carry on. May you find comfort and healing in the loved ones around you during this unspeakably difficult time. I love you.
Allen, Susan & Travis Doss
November 29, 2005
Somewhere in His healing, God fills our minds full of fun and warm memories about our loved one that has passed, so that every thought and every sigh of loneliness brings a happy and joyful smile. I pray that healing comes quickly for your family.
Joy Wagman
November 29, 2005
Diana, Adam, and Lauren - I've always thought that Bobby was the nicest and most easygoing man and enjoyed talking to him whereever we ran into each other. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Doris Casselman
November 29, 2005
I was honored to have known Bobby through his sister Rochelle and their cousin Chris. My heart goes out to Dianna, Lauren, Adam, Paul, and especially Bobby's mother Dorothy in this great time of loss. You are one special family and each of you have touched many lives in such a positive way. May you find some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in this difficult time.
Anne Greene
November 29, 2005
Dear Dianna,
I was so saddened to hear about Bobby's untimely passing. I have such wonderful memories of you and Bobby back in our youthful days and the fun that we all had together. My thoughts are with you at this time of your loss, and Bobby will always have a special place in my heart for the joy that he brought to all that had the pleasure of knowing him.
Love, Anne
Lanie Rose
November 29, 2005
Bobby was such a loving husband and father whose character was defined by its sweetness. Fortunately, his children inherited it, and his friends also displayed it. He leaves a hole in the heart of everyone who knew him.
Lou Stoler
November 29, 2005
My condolences to and your family Diana--Bob was a special person and a special friend, and we will very much miss him.
Terry Pruden
November 29, 2005
I was a great admirer of Bob during the past three years and my best wishes are with his family and beloved wife, Diana.
Kathy Friedman
November 29, 2005
Diana,
I am fortunate to know you. Unfortunately, I met Bobby only too briefly. I wish you and your family all the love & caring, which both you and Bobby shared with my family, so many other friends and families and the community-at-large, returned to you in infinite measure. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Kathy
Elizabeth Parks
November 29, 2005
I was lucky to know Mr. Brackman in college through his son, Paul. He is a great man and one who wanted the very best for his children and family. He is a special, caring, and understanding man and was always helping others to reach their full potential.
I am lucky to have known him and his family, espcially Mrs. Brackman, who always so graciously welcomed me into their home.
David Greenberg
November 29, 2005
Bobby a/k/a Mister Easy, you will be missed.
Theresa Gilmore
November 29, 2005
Adam,
Peace to you and your family.
Darci , Kevin & Hunter Templeton
November 29, 2005
The most loving family I have ever been around. Even though we won't see Bobby here I know he will always be watching and protecting his family. Bobby loved them all so much and treated everyone so kind and with care. What a loss for all who knew him and how sad for those that didn't get the honor to meet him. Thank you Bobby for making this world a better place.
Lynn Segal
November 29, 2005
Diana -
I dearly loved our trips to Israel together. You and Bobby were such wonderful travelers. I was so looking forward to our next trip in April.
I admired your wonderful marriage and your closeness with each other.
My heart is so sad for us all right now.
I will miss Bobby's sweetness every time he saw me.
Darren Rose
November 28, 2005
We are all greatly saddened by the loss of Bobby. I know I will miss seeing his face at our family functions. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.
Larry Finkelstein
November 28, 2005
Our heartfelt condolences go to you Dianna and the family on the loss of a wonderful man. All our love,
Larry, Anna & Desiree Finkelstein
Palm Beach, Florida
Jim and Jean Evans
November 28, 2005
Dianna—
As you know, Bobby and I were friends from undergraduate and law school. I recall that all of our classmates in law school were so crazy about you that we told Bob if he did not have enough sense to proopose to you, one of us would. You and Bob have always been very special in my heart and I am grieved to hear that we have lost him in this life.
Dianna, when Jean and I married in 1998, by act of fate, she met you and came home one day describing this delightful lady, only for us to discover that it was you, and that I had known you and Bob for years.
The world is diminished by Bob's passing but enriched by the example that you and Bob set as individuals and as a family. Bob set the standard of how to conduct one's life and business in a way that honored everyone who came in contact with him.
With all of our love and respect,
Clay Wick
November 28, 2005
I appreciate the time on this earth I spent in the company of Robert S. (Bobby) Brackman. He was a class act! My thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Larry Finkelstein
November 28, 2005
A very special person and way too soon is so right. Bobby told me that he recently commented to my Mom how he admired the closeness that her generation had among the family. We (my wife and I) were looking forward to emulating that closeness, in time, with our new found friendship. Our hearts go out to the family.
WENDI BRINSFIELD
November 28, 2005
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Myles Rose
November 28, 2005
Bobby always had a great big heart. His smile lit up the room when he walked in. Shirley, Dorothy, Diana, and Lauren were his princesses. He will be greatly missed by all.
Phil Greene
November 28, 2005
Dear Dianna,
I have such fond memories Bobby and You from college and Law School and the times we spent together, and the trips we took , and our growing years as young lawyers. It seems like it was just yesterday. I will always remember Bobby. Dianna, I am so sorry for your great loss, it was too soon.
Love,
Phil
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