ROBERT M. BARKER

BARKER--Robert (Bob) M., age 84, of Sands Point, on September 11, 2014. Devoted husband of Barbara (pre-deceased), loving father of Robin and Wendy (pre-deceased), step-sons Jeffrey and Van Stogner, grandchildren Zachary Bridges, Meghan Bridges FeIder, Antonin and Amadeus Durchanek, and step grandchildren Paul, Thomas, Jonathan, Alexander; and Bradford Stogner. Bob began his career as a securities analyst and became a premier stock broker for Kidder Peabody, Walston & Co., Dean Witter Reynolds, Solomon Smith Barney, and Morgan Stanley on Long Island from 1950 until he retired in 2011. Born and raised in Douglaston, he attended Buckley Country Day School as a youngster, and graduated from Colgate University in 1950. Bob was a published author of a novel entitled "Love Forty", published in hardcover and was an accomplished artist with works of art including oil on canvas, charcoal and metal sculptures. His true passion was playing tennis, competing in the men's draw at the U.S. Open until he was 35, won national titles (the USTA 35 and 45 Clay Courts), and set Eastern USTA records for 35 years. In 1961, Bob played Arthur Ashe in the finals of the Eastern Clay Court Championships at the Oritani Field Club in Hackensack, NJ. He was in the second group of inductees into the Eastern Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 1988. Reposing at Austin F. Knowles, Inc. Funeral Home 128 Main St., Port Washington, Monday, September 15 from 3:30 to 7:30pm. Interment on Tuesday, September 16 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, Queens at 10:30am. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers at www.stjude.org.