Robert G. Hart

Remembering you, dear friend. The date of your passing is always on my calendar. A memory of our friendship and your kindness. You are always missed.

"Bob Hart was a very good friend of Bing Ford. I met Bob a few times while visiting Bing. Both men served during WWII and helped secure freedom for our world. We miss them both."

Bob was my godfather, and a life-long friend. I deeply regret his passing, but am so grateful that he and I were able to re-connect after many years. I will treasure his memory, and offer condolences to all his friends and relatives who will miss him as shall I.

Bob will forever be part of my family. Twenty years of friendship was not enough time to spend with him. But I must remind myself that in that short period of time Bob and I shared smiles, laughter and tears, wonderful stories, companionship, travel, exciting restaurant adventures — the list is long. Bob was a gentle man, one of the kindest I have known. His generosity and genuine caring for others was a constant. He loved parties and balloons and brought such joy to our family gatherings, always contributing with his humor and cheerful personality. We celebrated his 88th Birthday together and, even though he was ill and frail, he didn’t complain; rather, he rejoiced in having lived his life to the fullest! What a truly inspiring human being. Bob will always have a special place in my heart and I am very thankful to have been part of his life. A toute à l'heure mon ami.

I WILL MISS HIM! I only knew Bob for a short time. You could say it was an instant friendship and the short 20 years felt as if it was a lifetime. Because of our age difference, I was always captivated by the stories, the experiences, and the knowledge that Bob would share. He was always forthcoming when asked for advice and his responses were not casual. He was a caring and gracious man and I am honored to have known him.

Like that of so many others, Bob touched my live in many and unique ways. He was indeed loveable, curious, enthusiastic, intelligent, charitable, generous, funny etc etc. My Paris will forever resound with his laughter and warmth: thank you, Bob, for letting me share so many special moments with you. I lift my glass to you, to the many great meals, moments filled with joy and/or sadness, to the places we visited together or meant to, you will always be in my heart and thoughts.

If you ever met Bob you loved him.

I first met Bob several years ago in Paris, as we stayed at the same hotel. We ate breakfast each morning before he was off to meet Toby. The next time I arrived in Paris, Bob was there again. I last saw Bob for lunch near his apartment in VA just before his last trip to France. Bob was immensely kind, always positive, and caring about all matters concerning a friend. I will miss his cheery voice and his fearless joy. I will miss my friend.

I knew Bob Hart for many years in meetings of the Inter-Agency Arts and Crafts Board on which I represented the US Office of Economic Opportunity. Years later, after he retired to Brittany, m husband and I saw him each summer as we rented a house near him in Vannes. We enjoyed so very much our lunches in Vannes with him. He was a delightful, humorous, and sunny man, lithe and youthful into his 80s and never complaining about any ailments but, rather, rejoicing in life. How much we will miss him!

I met Bob in Venice, Italy, as travelers meet, Fall, 1974. Who would have imagined we would meet again in DC on my first job at the NEA, and subsequently at the OAS when I became part of the Inter-Agency Arts and Crafts Board? The world was TOO small and wonderful for a young woman in Washington. We continued our friendship over the years, seeing each other in Baltimore and an occasional long telephone conversation. Out of the blue, I began to think about Bob this week-end. Today, I did the new ritural of "googling" him only to find the sad news of his passing. I can only thank him from this earthly positin for rescuing me in Venice, again at Wingspread, again over the phone, and for always believing in me. It is of incomprehensible value to a young professional to have the encouragement of someone as graceful, generaous and kowledgeable as Bob. I shall truly miss him.