Stackler - Robert Walter, of Lloyd Harbor, NY, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, December 24th,2022. Born on September 29th,1931 in New York City, NY to Walter George and Ida Mae Stackler, Robert, also known as Bob, lived a remarkably gifted long and abundant life. After attending prep schools, The Little Outfit and the Judson School for Boys in Arizona, he studied at The University of Arizona. He received his degree in Engineering at Farmingdale University, NY. He joined his father, Walter, in a Real Estate Development Company that changed the landscape of many Long Island towns spanning over a period of 60 years. Once he married his wife Tea Holmberg, he never looked back. Bob built his family home where he and Tea raised their four daughters. His building and Real Estate Development career culminated in a large Urban Renewal Project with his second partner, Herbert Gold, in Rockville Centre NY. Together they created a low-income housing neighborhood and a Martin Luther King Community Center, a senior citizens' apt. complex, a nursing home, three industrial buildings, two large office buildings and an indoor tennis club. His daughter, Cynthia Ziegler, was head of the management firm. His accomplishments were numerous. Working alongside his father in the 60s, they created Residential Developments in Hauppauge and Hicksville, The Mid Island Shopping Plaza in Hicksville, as well as providing property management teams for their Real Estate holdings. Bob was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Long Island Builders Association after he held the position as President. Bob was also a member and past president of the New York State Builders Association. His Board of director positions included Dime Savings Bank, Long Island Savings Bank and Huntington Hospital. Memberships include Kiwanis, The Gooley Club, The Shikar Club and Brant Lake Estates Association. He was also, along with his wife Tea, a member of The Huntington Country Club in NY, a founding member of The Loblolly Bay Yacht Club and a member of The Mariner Sands Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. His love of the sky, the ocean and the mountains were an integral part of how he lived his life. He was an avid sportsman, hunting in faraway places, skiing with his family out west and playing golf. He loved Piloting his own planes and boats (the Tebo, the Ciao and the Adios) well into his 80's. Living the dream of landing his seaplane on the lake where he could pull up to the dock, walk up the hill to the house, pour himself a Scotch on the Rocks and finally sit on the terrace and reflect. Bob's Arizona boyhood roots offered him another love... horseback riding. Learning to play Polo as a lefty (he was the only sanctioned left-handed player in the US), he played the game with the West Hills and Meadowbrook Polo Clubs on Long Island, entertaining us on many Polo fields well into his 70s. He could often be found at his horse barn, tending to his beloved ponies. When he ended his polo career, he began a venture into horse racing in Ocala, FL, with Stevie Jerkins as his trainer. There were some winners and some losers! If Bob had any free time it was spent with his family and friends at his homes in Lloyd Harbor, NY, Hobe Sound, FL, or Brant Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Lastly, he loved to travel and see the world, often sharing these experiences he planned with his family. Tea's husband and our father was larger than life. Look up to the sky or the mountains or at the sea or the field and you will find him. His adventurous spirit remains in all of us. In addition to Tea, his wife of 66 years,
Robert is survived by his only brother Walter Lewis Stackler (Lucy) of Centre Island, NY, and only brother in-law Rainer Holmberg (Phyllis) of CT. His four daughters, Lisa Bates of Saratoga Springs, Cynthia Ziegler of Rockville Centre, Bobbie Lucas of Plattsburg, and Christina Tremblay (Mark) of PA. His five grandchildren, their spouses and four great-grandchildren who lovingly called him POPOP. As well as many nieces and nephews. We are forever grateful for angels, Jean Gholson and Debbie Changoo; who helped care for Bob at home until he passed. There will be a Private Service and Burial for the family. A Memorial will follow in the Spring. Donations can be made to
www.polotraining.org or
www.k9sforwarriors.orgPublished by Newsday on Jan. 4, 2023.