Robert Taraschi Obituary

Robert Taraschi--artist, writer, actor, athlete, and teacher-- died on July 5, 2024 in hospice after a suffering a head injury in a fall. He was 73.
Taraschi was the quintessential renaissance man who did everything from stand-up comedy and writing for Saturday Night Live, to acting, directing, teaching, running a business, and late in life becoming an admired artist and painter.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he won a full scholarship to Villanova University, taught math in the city's public schools, and toured the country as an actor, comedian, and writer. Eventually he found a wildly successful career as a creative marketing consultant for many Fortune 500 companies, overseeing 90 product launches, and contributing to the naming of new products like Sprite.
In 2008, after his wife was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, he devoted himself to her care. After her death in 2012, he moved to Washington, DC, where he pursued his talent as an artist, astounding friends and admirers with his portraiture.
A wonderful athlete, he at various times excelled at boxing, cycling, dressage, running, and in his last decade, tennis, which he pursued with his usual uncompromising dedication, soon achieving a 100 mph serve. His last formal "job" was as the JV tennis coach at the Bullis School, where he was respected and adored by his students.
He will be buried in Massachusetts next to his beloved wife Kathy Kelly Taraschi with a funeral there and a memorial service in Washington, DC, this fall. He is survived by legions of friends. His dog Connie Mack, named after the baseball stadium in Philadelphia where he went to games with his father, will miss him.

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Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 14, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Taraschi

9 Entries

Edward Gero

May 29, 2025

I just heard this instant and am heartbroken. I was in Italy last summer and missed everything. Bob and I talked theatre and he was a regular in our Covid-era salon, 430 Eastern. He was an extraordinary man. He gave me a great note on the occasion of opening a play I was in off Broadway after a 35 year hiatus. He said, "When you walk out there to start the play, take three beats for yourself and take it in. Then start the play. You´ve waiting a long time for this. You deserve it." Best bit of my career. Flights of angels, Bob.

Candace C Clemens

December 13, 2024

I just sent Bob his digital Christmas card and it bounced back. So I googled and that's when I heard. I can't quite get my head around this... Good write up. I didn't know he had mastered tennis, too! He did everything 150%! I have so many photos of his art from when I stopped to visit him in DC. But this one, called "Bob Snuggling with his wife" popped up. He said it was one of his first exercises while studying art.... had to capture a feeling without lifting the pen. It is very simple.... but he captures "it"... He was a true Renaissance man. His art was inspirational, as was his love for Kathy.... In fact, after I visited him and saw his work, I was inspired to write a short story about him, which included one of the few times I went to a Red Sox game at Fenway. I got there just in time to hear Kathy sing the National Anthem, which was a surprise to me.
I did not know until they announced her name.

Jessica Porter

August 7, 2024

Hello friends of Bob - there will be a funeral at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, 262 Needham St, at 3pm on Friday August 9. There will also be a memorial service in DC in September. You can email me at [email protected] with any questions or to get details on either service. I'm so sorry for all of our collective loss - he was a great friend, neighbor, coach, cousin, and human being.

Lynda Chase

August 3, 2024

St Susannah's Church bulletin correct date is Friday, 9 August

Lynda Chase

August 3, 2024

Just saw FB post for mem service for Bob at St Susannah's Church in Dedham, Mass....
Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 3pm

Joan Blanusa

August 2, 2024

I´ve - we´ve known Bob (& his wonderful late wife Kathy) since the 80´s. I googled him because we´re watching the DC tennis tournament where we´d usually see him in the front row but he wasn´t there. I was stunned when I read he passed. We´re so sad. He was so funny & warm-hearted, & we have so many wonderful memories of spending time with him & Kathy. If anyone knows if there will be a service at the church where he will be buried alongside Kathy please post. We´d love to attend. To all the mutual friends of Bob & Kathy we join you in feeling such a deep & sad loss. Joan Blanusa & Stan Golub

Lynda Chase

July 29, 2024

Waited too long to reach out to say hi ... heartbroken that I've missed one last connection.
Kathy, Bob and I shared a wonderful friendship back in Philadelphia....I frequently hear echos of Kathy singing and see Bob's proud smiles...we stayed some in touch over the last 40 old years....but not enough. It was watching the dressage events this weekend that made me reach out. So, so sorry I missed him.
Love and prayers to those close to him now.

Peter Klein

July 17, 2024

I have known and worked with Bob since 1984, kept in constant touch over time well beyond our business relationship... an echo with a big DITTO what Bryan Mattimore wrote. Bob was a `player´ in so many areas and he excelled at each. I honestly can say I never consistently laughed so hard over time than I did when we were together in person, by phone or email. A great listener with meaningful insights who always `did the right thing´... knew when to step in & step out of a conversation but always added value along the way. I already miss him dearly.

Bryan Mattimore

July 16, 2024

I'm heartbroken to learn of Bob's passing. Bob and I worked together on freelance marketing assignments for over 30 years... but beyond our business relationship was of course our friendship.... so much more important and meaningful than any marketing project could ever be. I was ecstatic when Bob found his calling to be an artist later in life. The world is a poorer, less entertaining, less fun, less beautiful place without Bob in it. The only consolation I have is that he's now reunited with Kathy, the love of his life.

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