Robert "Bob" Whalen

Robert "Bob" Whalen of Bloomfield, beloved husband of Penelope "Penny" (Collins) Whalen, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025. Bob was born on January 4, 1933, in Rock Island, IL, the son of the late G. Earle and Florence Whalen, and the brother of the late Marilyn Failor and Sharon Siefert. He graduated as valedictorian from Streator, IL High School and from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. Bob was a proud US Army veteran having served on the Adjutant General's staff in the 1st and 10th Infantry Divisions in Germany, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He then earned a Master's Degree in Finance at the University of Iowa, and for 37 years worked for Connecticut General Life Insurance Co., later CIGNA, ultimately managing the Investment Technology Group. Bob retired in 1995 and began a second career as Administrative Director of the Institute for Quantitative Research in Finance. Bob was an active and highly valued contributor to his local community and Sacred Heart Parish. He served as Treasurer of the Connecticut Opera, the Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance Fund, and the Friends of the Bloomfield Public Libraries as well as leading the Finance Committee of Sacred Heart Church and managing the parish endowment. Beyond his work and his service, Bob nourished many lifelong passions. He was a tireless advocate of Performing Arts, especially Opera. He was an avid reader, an ambitious woodworker, and meticulously restored and cared for his colonial-era house and grounds. Bob loved traveling with Penny, especially to destinations steeped in history and rich with opportunities to attend theatrical and operatic performances. He relished his Irish heritage and was a long-suffering Red Sox fan. More than anything, Bob was completely devoted to his family near and far. He is survived by Penny, his beloved and devoted best friend and wife of almost 65 years; his children, Michael and his wife Susan of Beverly MA, Ellen and her husband Nicolas Checa of Guilford, and Molly and her husband Edward Pond of Windsor; his grandchildren, Emily and Conor Whalen, Sofia and Nicolas Checa, and Eleanor and Elizabeth Pond; along with many nieces and nephews. Bob loved his family, and they loved him. His family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 4-6 p.m., at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave, Windsor, and on Saturday, September 27, 9-10 a.m., followed by A Mass of Christian Burial, 10 am., at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob may be made to Sacred Heart Church or Connecticut Foodshare, PO Box 150430, Hartford, CT 06115-9901.