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Robert Bottome Obituary
1935 – 2021 –Robert R. Bottome, jr. of Boca Raton, Florida and Caracas, Venezuela died on December 7, 2021. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, journalist, banker and patron of folk artists passed away after several years of declining health. Robert, known as Toby to his friends, was a Venezuelan-American, born in New York City and raised in Caracas, who had a successful career in equity trading, banking and journalism. After working as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch and Bottome & Asociados, he helped create the Venezuelan Investment Fund and represented the Union Bank of California (which merged with Standard Chartered Bank) from 1977-1994. In 1982 he co-founded the highly respected periodical Veneconomy, with his partners, Joseph Mann and John Sweeney. For three decades, Veneconomia, published in English and Spanish, kept readers abreast of Venezuela's tumultuous financial, political and business developments. After retiring he was a passionate advocate for human rights and freedom of speech. Toby was happiest surrounded by family; advocating for political prisoners held illegally in Venezuela, attending seminars and discussion groups on foreign policy and defending classical liberal values. He also enjoyed traveling the world from Europe and South America to Southeast Asia and the Middle East with his wife of 44 years, Ruth Blumenkranz de Bottome who, along with his children and grandchildren, survives him. A celebration of life will be held in Miami on February 26, 2022 at a time and place to be announced. Donations in Toby's memory can be made to the Human Rights Foundation (https://hrf.org/take-action/; 350 5th Ave #4202, New York, NY 10118, United States) or Amnesty International (https://donate.amnestyusa.org/page/
54178/donate/1).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bottome
Thomas M Fullerton
August 28, 2025
Toby was an insightful analyst with respect to Venezuelan political and economic developments who always provided his subscribers with valuable information in a timely manner.
Patricia Querini de Paris
December 8, 2024
Siempre querido y recordado Toby, mi cariño a toda su familia en este momento de memoria
Ana María Ferris de Bermúdez
December 2, 2024
Siempre extrañándote, Tobby. Especialmente en estas fechas.
Un beso grande, Ruth.
Ana María y José Rafael Bermúdez
December 1, 2023
Mi querida Ruth. Toby fue un ser muy especial y querido por nosotros. A ambos los recordamos con mucha frecuencia, especialmente en esta época decembrina.
Parece mentira que ya hayan pasado dos años...
Un beso enorme para tí de parte de Josè Rafael y mía.
Michaela Ridgway
December 3, 2022
Remembering wonderful wonderful Toby.
Rocio Guijarro
December 2, 2022
Toby, we will always remember you
Hugs to the family
Rocio
ANTONIO HERRERA
December 2, 2022
Nunca olvidado! Abrazos, Ruth, espero estés excelente, un besote!
Ana Maria Ferris
December 1, 2022
Siempre en nuestros corazones. Nos dejó un maravilloso recuerdo.
Ana María y José Rafael.
ronald gerstl
December 23, 2021
I have known Toby in Caracas from the 1950's, when we were all attending prep school and college, until the 1980's when I left Caracas for Miami. Unfortunately there has not been any contact threafter until very recently. Tobey will be missed by his many friends. Suzanne joins me in sincere sentido pesame to Ruth. Ronald Gerstl
Sagrario Berti
December 13, 2021
Lamentable perdida para el arte popular venezolano.
Ramon Hernandez-Ron
December 13, 2021
Toby is in wonderful memories of my childhood and through the years up to my moving to the USA. It was awesome to know him, share a lot of time with Robin when he visited his dad in Caracas and go along on adventures (later riding in the Beetle) with extended family and friends. Always positive, friendly, funny and brilliant. Thank you Toby! My heartfelt sympathy Ruth, Robin, Richard and Kathy...+
Anne Werner
December 12, 2021
Dear Ruth, I remember Toby and you with great fondness. I have daily visual reminders of Toby in several wonderful folk art pieces that have moved with me many times-my home would be a duller place but for those wonderful conversations with you about what artist to visit where. Toby´s VenEconomy was a must-read for many years after I left Venezuela.
Toby was a very special person. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Ginger Bunzl Nadel
December 12, 2021
I send deepest condolences to Ruth and family ob behalf of Stephanie and myself. Steph predeceased him in July 2021, but would have been heartbroken to know that her dear friend from childhood in Caracas had passed away. Being six years younger I did not know Toby as well as she did, but remember him as a brilliant and thoughtful man. He leaves a great legacy behind him. The world is in need of more Tobies.
With love,
Ginger Bunzl Nadel
Michaela Ridgway
December 11, 2021
Dear Ruth,
Toby was such a significant person in my life and I am heartbroken that he has gone. My deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family. Toby hired me to join the VenEconomy team in the mid-to-late nineties when I was about 27. He saw much more in me than I saw in myself which I turn helped me to see more of who I could be - and subsequently became. He was a tough and demanding boss (a good thing!) and one of the most caring people I have ever met.
Maria Luisa Hernandez-Ron
December 10, 2021
Ruth, please receive my deepest sympathy and extend to David, Robin, Richard and Kathy. We will always remember Toby with love, he was a great friend of our family, humorous, intelligent and caring man. Will be truly missed!
James Ross-Jones
December 10, 2021
My condolences to the family for the loss of an admirable human being.
Joan Clark Koch
December 10, 2021
Dear Ruth and family, dear Toby was a childhood friend of my late husband Ramón HernándezRon Vallenilla. He continued to be a great friend to me and my children. He will be sorely missed by us and many others. Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathy, Joan Clark Koch.
Avilio Liscano
December 9, 2021
My deepest sympathies for his passing, one of the true Venezuelan Americans of my generation, that fought to get a better country for all.
Belkys y Jose Benjamin Escobar
December 9, 2021
Una muy lamentable partida. Nuestro más sentido pésame a Ruth y demás familiares. Paz a sus restos
Daniela Oppenheimer
December 9, 2021
Mi muy sentido pésame
Rafael Alcantara
December 9, 2021
Good man..!!
Felix Hernandez
December 9, 2021
Se nos fue un extraordinario ser humano. Nuestro más sentido pésame a Ruth y demás familiares. Dios lo tenga en su gloria.
Rafael Febres-Cordero
December 9, 2021
Siento enormemente que Toby ya no esté con nosotros, mis oraciones están con todos durante este duelo. Le doy gracias a Dios por haberlo conocido, fue un gran hombre. Que en paz descanse.
Arturo C Guevara
December 9, 2021
Toby, an extraordinary person, king and generous and full of wisdom, stamina and Sense of humor. He guided some of us to the world of writing articles based on our specialities. Always willing to publish our articles, notes and thoughts. I learned from him a lot and consider him one of my mentors. I am very honored to have share with him long lasting conversations and friendship. We will miss you Toby. Our condolences to his wife, Ruth, family and friends.
Guido Briceno.
December 9, 2021
Su vida al servicio de las grandes causas de venezuela lo mantendra eterno, en la memoria historica de Venezuela. Sentido pesame
Rocio Guijarro
December 9, 2021
You were a very special person, I will miss your calls on my birthday.
Good trip dear Toby may God have you in his Glory. My embrace to dear Ruth and all the family.
Desiree Luna
December 9, 2021
Grande Toby. Dios le lleve a la vida eterna prometida.
Stephen Goss
December 8, 2021
One of the kindest and most generous person I ever had the pleasure of interacting with sharing his wisdom and guidance.
We will miss you!
My condolences to the family and God bless.
Patricia Querini de Paris
December 8, 2021
Toby fue para nosotros, para Ricardo y para mi, un amigo alegre y cariñoso, el hermano de Peter, fue familia. Una parte de nosotros. Mi más sentidas palabras de pesar para Ruth su esposa y motor para todas las aventuras. Mi pésame para su gran y extendida familia. Im are grateful for the friendship we share for so many years, for the happy family´s times, for the jokes, for the laughs . So long Toby
Francisco J. Monaldi
December 8, 2021
Toby fue un editor y periodista excepcional, además de una magnífica persona. Aprecio mucho la amistad que siempre me brindó. QEPD. Mis condolencias a Ruth y familia.
John Werner
December 8, 2021
Toby was quite simply a wonderful person, who possessed a sharp wit, abundant kindness and devotion to Venezuela and its people. I will always remember fondly the many meals we shared, the trips we took and the interesting conversations that I enjoyed so much. A life well lived, often in the face of adversity. Good bye Toby, I´ll miss you.
Yvonne Herrera
December 8, 2021
Who is going now to remind me my birthday four times a year?
Toby you have been a great and funny friend and will be dearly missed.
Ruth I send you a big hug and remember I am always available.
Diana Droulers
December 8, 2021
Siempre admirado Toby, gran profesor de vida con su ejemplo y con sus comentarios. Valiente y divertido y ofreciendo sentido común como solución a muchos problemas, y la sencillez característica de los grandes hombres. Las conversas deliciosas y su apoyo me dejaron muchos aprendizajes y su amistad muy buenos recuerdos. Mucho talento junto! Muchos cariños para Ruth y toda la familia.
Gloria Stolk de Egui
December 8, 2021
Loved you both very much Ruthie, shared memorable times through out the years. Admired Toby, his intelligence, stamina and brilliant sense of humor. The most venezuelan of all americans. Thank you forever.
Your neighbor, joven madre
Juan C Marquez
December 8, 2021
Lo recordaremos siempre como un hombre brillante, muy querido por su familia y amigos y respetuoso de los mas nobles valores humanos.
Me considero afortunado de haber compartido con el muchas magnificas conversaciones a lo largo de los años especialmente sobre temas de la economía y negocios. Tuve el honor de contribuir a Veneconomia en muchas oportunidades donde fui muy enriquecido intelectualmente por el intercambio.
Toby es un ejemplo para las nuevas generaciones de lo que un hombre debe ser y ese es su legado mas valioso.
Anexo una foto de enero 2019 compartiendo con sus queridas sobrinas y esposa en el cumpleaños de su cuñada.
Antonio Herrera-Vaillant & Carolina Stone de Herrera
December 8, 2021
Toby Bottome was an outstanding human being, an extraordinary analyst, objective journalist, and strong defender of human rights, who was deeply devoted to his adopted country, Venezuela, and actively promoted its bilateral friendship with the US; he was a patron of all forms of folk and naive art, and an absolutely loyal friend who leaves as will fond and happy memories with his passage through this life. Hasta pronto, Toby, un abrazo! Ruth and all, we are with you.
Luis J. y Mirosalba
December 7, 2021
Descanse en paz TÍO TOBY y brille para Él la luz eterna.
Abrazo a la familia.
Ana María y José Rafael Bermúdez
December 7, 2021
Sentimos muchísimo la partida de Toby, entrañable y consecuente amigo. Un gran abrazo para tí, Ruth.
Imelda Cisneros
December 7, 2021
Toby y Ruth fueron para Paco y para mí amigos entrañables. Toby harás falta. Ruth, aquí estoy para acompañarte
Monica y Henrique Capriles
December 7, 2021
Muy tristes con esta noticia. Lo recordaremos siempre con mucho cariño. Recibe Ruth, en unión de toda la familia,nuestro más sentido pésame y un abrazo fuerte y solidario.
Carlos and Mercedes Bullos
December 7, 2021
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. Especially Ruth with whom I shared time on the board of FIPAN. I enjoyed reading Toby very much and listening to his very pointed comments!
Gersan Zurita
December 7, 2021
Toby was a dear friend for many years. He and Ruth actively supported noble causes and it was a privilege to have his friendship.
Elena Hernandez-Ron
December 7, 2021
My deepest condolences for Ruth, David, Robin, Richard and Kathy. Toby was part of my life in Caracas. He was always there for our family, his wit and friendship will always be in my heart.
Rita Funaro
December 7, 2021
Intellectual, mentor, humanitarian, economist, family patriarch, businessman, patron of folk art, master of puns, champion for Venezuelan democracy, and friend. Toby was a man of many talents and few pretentions whom I am proud to have called a friend. My sympathies to Ruth, his children and grandchildren, and all of us who had the good fortune to know and love this kind soul. Our work was better, our causes advanced, and our lives richer thanks to Toby Bottome.
Ela Ferris
December 7, 2021
Mi abrazo solidario a Ruth. Siempre recordaremos con mucho cariño y gratitud a Toby
Rafael Alfonzo
December 7, 2021
Siempre te recordaremos
Álvaro Benavides La Grecca
December 7, 2021
Toby was a great person who lived a life full with friendship. I feel very honored to have been able to share good pieces of conversation with him and his beloved Ruth, to whom Araluz and I send our condolences.
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