Robert Alfred Adami

On March 3, 2024, we said goodbye to our beloved father and husband, Robert A. Adami. At 62 years and 26 days old, Robert's life was far too short, but nevertheless vibrant, virtuous, and extremely well-lived. He was a remarkable soul who showed unwavering strength after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 3.5 years ago.
Rob fought valiantly to beat a disease with dire statistics. Throughout multiple rounds of chemo, radiation and a massive surgery, Rob's resilience was undeniable, determined to live a "normal" life to the absolute fullest – including daily trips to the gym (his happy place), golf outings, home improvement projects, dog park romps, sunset gazing on the beach, golf cart rides around 'the Ave', and morning meditations in his favorite lanai. His passion for adventure did not waver, and he joined his favorite travel partner – his dear wife Carol – on a myriad of trips in those three years, from the cliffs of Hawaii to the beaches of Zanzibar and even to the jungles of Uganda to trek with Gorillas.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Rob grew up surrounded by his loving family; Alfred J. Adami (father), Elaine Artz (mother), and siblings Mary Jane, Billy and Dan. His childhood was filled with raucous games of stickball on 22nd street, serving faithfully as a newspaper delivery boy, and getting into general mischief on jaunts into 'the City' or drives down to Wildwood with his crew of 'goombas'. He attended Brooklyn College as a psychology major and went on to pursue dentistry at Columbia University, completing his residency at Nassau County Medical Center where he met the love of his life, Carol. Rob loved Carol deeply and with his whole heart – so much so that he followed her to Florida and endured 30 years in a climate of heat and humidity rivaled only by "the face of the sun!" (his own words).
Rob and Carol started their own family in 1991 with the birth of daughter Amanda Elaine, and shortly after son, Alexander Robert. Their family adventures over the years were spectacular, from countless trips to Disneyworld, fishing outings on the tiny motorboat Rob captained on their backyard lake, to dog-sledding excursions on Alaskan glaciers, breathtaking tours across Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, and simple road trips visiting everywhere from the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to the moss-filled plains of Savannah. Even when life threw unbelievable tragedies in their path – cue a devastating house fire – the amount of unconditional, unbridled, unbounded love and laughter their family has shared over the past 32 years is limitless.
Among many of Rob's superpowers, he had an unbelievably tranquil, authentic sense of inner wisdom, and he was a deeply principled man of integrity always in search of the truth. While some days felt less sure-footed than others, this diagnosis revealed his truest character, and his underlying philosophy over the past three years can be summarized by the following quote: "Fear does not stop death. It stops life. Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace."
Rob came to see every single moment as a precious gift and continued to forge what he would call "a life uncommon". During a period of almost total remission, he celebrated a 60th birthday bash surrounded by so many different people he'd touched on his path, those who loved and admired him. He closed the chapter on a wonderful life in sunny south Florida and started a beautiful new adventure in snowy Park City. Even through a recurrence and progression of his cancer, his strength was unwavering, and he was determined to fill every day making beautiful memories, whether on the ski slopes with his son and future-daughter in law, hiking with his loyal pack of puppies, (attempting to) golf and playing pickle ball against a brilliant blue sky, or building a community of truly exceptional new friends.
He is desperately missed by his loving wife and children, his adoring extended family, his crazy canine crew – Nala (his favorite), Kobi, Dakota and Bear – and seemingly hundreds of friends, all of whom he cared deeply for. No amount of time with angelic Rob would have ever been enough, but he gave us enough laughs and memories to last a lifetime. We loved him so damn much!
The family is hosting a Celebration of Life service on Saturday March 23rd from 10-1pm at the Promontory Pete Dye Clubhouse (8417 N Ranch Club Trail, Park City, UT 84098). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rob's name to the Huntsman Cancer Institute (https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/30815/donate/1?locale=en-US) in support of Gastrointestinal / Pancreatic Cancer(s). Those wishing to share a memory of Robert are graciously invited to speak at the memorial service, or supply words in advance to carol.adami@proton.me to be shared on the day.