Robert Bennett Fisch

If the whole China Expert thing had not worked out so well, Bobby would have had even more time for his second occupation as the Rebbe of the ever-expanding Robert Universe. He was a spiritual guide, teacher, mentor, caregiver, storyteller, and if all else failed-clown-if it would do someone some good. He forgave us our trespasses and believed in our goodness. He was the glue that held us all together, the anchor that kept us from drifting apart.

By example, he showed us how to treat one another with more kindness and generosity. He showed us the beauty to be had of engaging strangers with openness, curiosity and good will.

Bobby travelled the world without, it seemed, a schedule. But no matter where he was, he managed to be there for you, too- on the phone, or magically-at the door, passing through town. How did he do this? Was there more than one Bob? Where did he store all that love that he shared and replenished every day? I am so lucky to have been his aunt.

Over the years I have heard so many stories about Bobby and his gifts for connection. I have one such encounter I witnessed personally. We were on Cape Cod. Bobby wanted to go for a walk, and we decided to talk along the Cape Cod canal. That is a long path, and there was no one else on it, at least that day. After walking quite a while, we could see one group approaching us. As we could see details, it was clear they were Orthodox jews: a woman pushing a baby carriage and 2 men, her brother and husband I assume. It was a long straight path, so we could see each other a long time before we finally came to the point where we had to squeeze past one another. They kept their eyes averted. But Bobby stopped to suddenly ask them in Hebrew, of course, where they were from. We soon switched to English. They were Israeli visitors. I csould see that they were very reluctant to talk to us, and I could see the men kind of clustered around the woman to shield her from us. But Bobby kept on - what is your name? where is your family from? Do you know so-and-so. After several minutes we were all a smiling group, and Bobby had even established a possible family connection. I was astonished. And they were too. I am sure Bobby and this remarkable interaction was a touchstone story when they tell their family about their American experience. The many stories I have heard of Bobby´s amazing boldness that enabled him to reach out and connect to strangers were, by no means, exaggerations.

-(uncle) Stephan Bless

Dan and I have wonderful memories of Robert, a special guy. He worked with Dan on medication for Gil when he flew to Boston to visit his physician. He had many interests including music. We´ll always remember the piano he bought for his parents house so he could play and sing for them when he visited.

My very deepest condolences to the Fisch family. So so very sorry to hear of your loss. He was such a wonderful intelligent man. Made many fond memories comfort you at this time.
Cheryl Johnson

Bob was my oldest and dearest friend. We first met when I was 10 years old as I was digging a hole to China in my front yard, and he came over to help. We remained friends throughout our lives and, in the 1980s, finally made it to China together via a better route than the hole in the ground. He was always kind, funny, and considerate of everyone he met, even strangers. Walking down the street with him was an experience in collecting new friends as he could speak to almost anyone in their native language. We shared secret names for ourselves that we only used with each other, and so many memories that became our lifetime inside jokes. Over more than fifty years, he always reached out to connect, and no matter where we were, it was like days, not years, had passed. I will miss him tremendously. But I will take some consolation in the blessing of his wonderful family, Celia, Alitza, and Max, in which he now lives on, and sharing cherished memories with his brothers, mother, and father.