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Robert Cox Obituary
Robb was born in 1942 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert M. Cox Sr. and Louise Cox. After graduation from Dartmouth College in 1965, he served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan. Throughout his life, he maintained close friendships from his times in college and the military.
Upon returning home, he worked with his father at Cox's Department Store, a beloved local institution in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. With merchandising in his blood, he moved to California to work in the fashion and retail industries, eventually joining the Simon Property Group as a specialist in major shopping mall development, valued by colleagues for his judgment and expertise.
In Los Angeles, he met the love of his life, Karen Bell, of Gloucester, Massachusetts. They married in 1985 and became the proud parents of two children, Molly and Will. There was no question that family was the principal pleasure of Robb's life.
An avid outdoorsman and athlete, Robb's other passions included skiing, biking, boating, music, dancing (with Karen), dogs, westerns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Robb came to adopt Gloucester as a second home and loved nothing more than sharing it with friends, especially by boat on a clear day out of Rocky Neck.
A generous soul with a booming laugh and ready sense of humor, Robb would routinely wrap family and friends in great bear hugs of affection.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Bell; daughter Jenny Newman (from a previous marriage) of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Molly Cox and husband to be, Sam Kim, of New York City; son Will Cox of Gloucester; grandchildren Lilly and Jake Newman; sister Mary Cox of McKeesport; sisters-in-law JoAnn Bell and Leslie Bell; brother-in-law Marvin Tighe; and many cousins, extended family members, and friends who will miss him deeply and remember him warmly.
A funeral and private burial service will be held at Mount Jacob Cemetery in Gloucester. Shiva will be observed at the residence of Leslie Bell on January 8, from 10:00am – 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
10 Entries
Kris Buchanan
January 11, 2026
Continued prayers for family and all Robb's people.
Such special sentiments to hear here, and what a precious-send off from his vacation paradise with the A Team.
I'd see Robb every few months when he dropped Karen at her hair appt. He'd return moments later from the neighborhood coffeehouse and never failed once to ask when I'd get a German Shepherd for his company while he noshed and abided the appt.
His joy and love of life and people was palpable.
Joe Ivcevich
January 11, 2026
Robb was a teammate on our McKeesport Tigers Football Team and a really nice person.
Laura Stelluto Flessel
January 8, 2026
Karen & family,
We are so heartbroken to learn about Robb´s passing unexpectedly while on vacation with his beloved family in Aspen. He will be so deeply missed by all his family, friends, colleagues, neighbors etc. sending our deepest sympathies & condolences to all who loved him. Fondly, Flessel (Michael Stelluto´s family), Laura, Mark, Ally & Katherine.
Richard Thomas
January 6, 2026
A memory overcame me of Grandpa Cox writing a poem for our late son at the time of his passing. That example inspired me to write this poem about Robb.
For Robb
I first knew you as the man who stood
Where once my younger heart had been,
While war kept me at distance woods
And forced silence chose what might had been.
You courted her beneath wide skies,
A stewardess between the years,
Then married as Vietnam arose,
And duty carried you elsewhere.
From Japans days to Shadyside,
A child arrived as paths grew thin;
When love relaxed, by fate and chance
My life with her began again.
With your consent, your daughters name, became my name, my vow, my art;
and when she learned the truth in time,
you held your place with open heart.
Montana brought us face to face,
A lodge, a bar, long nights of trust;
Two fathers speaking honestly
Of love, of loss, of what we must.
Your children joined our family too,
Not by decree, but something true;
Three souls made siblings by respect,
By kindness easily in view.
Few years back, a yurt, a vow
One last shared stay, one final bond;
A patriot firm in faith and worth,
Whose values stood where others bend
So now i grieve not things unsaid,
Nor ghosts of youth or time unspent;
I grieve a friend, a brother found,
A loss i´ll carry to life´s end.
I will miss you deeply, Robb.
Rich
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Delphia Crawford
January 6, 2026
As a girl with a "melting pot" family, who has been lucky enough to have had the love and guidance of more than one dad, Ive always appreciated and admired Rob, and my aunt Jenny´s relationship with him. My grandmother has endless stories, and it´s not often that I get to come to know one of the characters from her stories first-hand. Rarely do her descriptions fall short, but in his case, I don´t think even her words could have encapsulated his kind, and light, energy. My aunt Jenny is one of my favorite people on earth, and the few times I spent with "grandpa cox", it was evident, even to my younger self, that a big chunk of her genuinity is fueled by the part of her that is him. I know my cousins feel lucky to have him as a grandpa, and I know I´ll always help them to share thoughts and stories of him in the years to come. Everyone on Hilton Head is thinking of you, K Bell, Molly, Will, & Chenny
Kay Baker
January 5, 2026
Dear Buppy and family,
I was so sorry to hear from Jane about your loss. My deepest condolences to all of you. May his memory be a blessing and may he rest in peace
Love
Kay (Baker).
Richie & JoAnn
January 5, 2026
Love you. Love Robb. Love you all.
amy Spies
January 4, 2026
I remember Rob always being so warm and supportive. When my daughter got hurt playing basketball for her middle school, Rob was so caring and attentive. it was a wonderful father, Partner to Karin, and Friend to so many including myself.A lovely kind giving person.
Brock Walsh
January 4, 2026
A good man and steadfast friend. Rest in peace, dear boy.
Jim Ackerly
January 4, 2026
Robb was a dear friend for 60 years since our Air Force time in Japan from 1967-1971. So many good times and memories together with friends and family. He will be dearly missed.
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