Bob's Inaugural Posting
Carol's Inaugural Blog
"How did it happen that..." (a group project)
(Initiate by Sister Judy and Brother-in-Law Marty)
(To all visitors and/or participants to the Carol and Bob Blog: You are cordially invited to add Carol and Bobby “ism” Happenings - this is merely a starter list, now it’s your turn. Add one or more happenings and we will all watch the list grow! Be sure to identify your contribution.)
The knees in all of Judy’s slacks were stretched out (Carol wore them)
All of the coats taken to a BBYO Convention disappeared (Carol borrowed them)
Mr. Gregory, the next door neighbor on Dellwood Drive, called to see if someone was hurt…he heard someone screaming (Carol, age 14, reacting to one of her teachers at Northside High School)
The JOJ (BBYO) Basketball Team didn’t win a game (According the coach, Marty Kogon, “Carol was better than Judy!”)
The best songs were written at Lake Lanier during storms (Bobby wrote them)
A golf club ended up in the upper branches of a tree at the Meridan Mississippi Country Club (Bobby played golf)
Judy made a 4-point landing on the 3rd fairway of the Meridian Country (Carol drove the golf cart and threw her out)
The towel bar “just came out of the wall” in the guest bathroom (Bobby “just” hung up the towel)
The clothing bar and all of the clothes in the closets of the guest room ended up on the floor (Victim of a Carol and Bobby visit)
All of the condiments on the 3 shelves on the refrigerator door landed on the kitchen floor (Bobby was making breakfast)
During Passover 2 Temptee Cream Cheeses, 1 Whipped Butter, 1 jar of Preserves, 1/2 box of matzahs and 6 eggs are consumed daily for breakfast (Carol and Judy really love Passover)
In one day there are 4 sets of sweaty clothes (Bobby’s typical day activities – running 5 miles, biking 20 miles; jumping rope for 45 minutes, stretching – and that’s before breakfast!)
A horseback ride during a family trip to Tucson ended abruptly (Carol and a cactus collided)
A Security Deposit is a pre-requisite for a visit to Winterthur Lane (Experience of 60 years of living with Carol and 38 years of visits from the Deutsches – we’re slow learners)
Canyon Ranch visits deserve hazard pay (Carol left Judy for one class and Judy ended up with the medics; Marty did a bike ride with Bobby – need we say more)
Etc., etc., etc.
The "Ask"
Many of you have contributed to our creative birthday efforts in the past. In fact, we recently uncovered the 'book of memories' that we put together for the fiftieth birthdays! Well, this time around we decided to catapult our parents into the 21st century - and go viral!
So, how could we NOT do something to celebrate this milestone? ... this is a surprise (shhhhh)
To celebrate their birthdays, we are launching [BobandCarols60th.blogspot.com] - a multimedia extravaganza of memories, photos, stories, tall tales and good wishes on their birthday.
So why are we contacting you?
1. We need your contributions - a funny story, reminiscences of a shared adventure, wishes on their birthday, etc. We'll post everything to the site and share the completed work of 'art' when we are done.
2. We need your help getting in touch with all of the people that would want to contribute - high school friends, college friends, grad school friends, Hendersonville friends, camp friends, etc. We have a LOT of your email addresses, but need your help. Please send us contact information (email is preferred) for old friends, new friends, family etc. that you think we should get in touch with.
3. Remember, this is a surprise. We'll 'launch' the site on October 26th when we head down to Asheville to celebrate.
Thank you so much for helping us try out a new medium and celebrate our parents' 60th birthday!
Any questions? Please email us:
Andy Deutsch (deutschandrew@gmail.com)
Robin & Dave Edwards (robin.d.edwards@gmail.com)
Dennis Deutsch
Words cannot express how I feel about the two of you. I just hope that you have as long and active post 60 life as Dad did. Our new start at the Canyon Ranch is just a couple of weeks away. I look forward to additional adventures with both of you, as well as the ongoing family events (all should be simchas) including Seder in Atlanta.
Love,
Dennis
Judy and Marty Kogon
We Are Family
((With apologies to Sister Sledge)
We are family
I got all my sisters, sister-in-laws, brothers, brother-in-law,
sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces,
aunts, uncles, and cousins with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing
Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
We won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose…
Dear Carol and Bobby,
You both are about to complete your first 60 years of life and, as such, it is a time of reflection for all of us. Upon embarking on this task, we realized that I have known Carol all of her 60 years, that Marty has known her for 47 of those 60 years and that we have both known Bobby for 42 out of 60 years. That’s a lot of history and memories…
• The 40’s – Carol arrives, red haired # 2 daughter; sharing a room; moving from the South side (Parkway Drive apartment) to the North side (Dellwood Drive house); crying, eating and playing (activities that continued for the next 59 years); attending Cousin Sadie Sacks’ Pre-school; visits to Grandparents – Cohen and Hillman; field trips to the zoo and Piedmont Park (see picture)
• The 50’s – living N.W. when every one else lived N.E.; E. Rivers Elementary School; sharing stuff; brother Mark appears; swimming at the Progressive Club, the Mayfair Club; car trips; motion sickness; “chepping” brother Mark; AJECOMCE Day Camp and Camp Blue Star (for only 1 month – our parents loved us and did not want us to be gone too long); Bar/Bat Mitzvah circuit (different friends, same routine); BBG Meetings and BBYO Conventions (Marshall Karo); borrowing and losing my clothes; Lake House at Lanier; skiing; sun hats and long sleeves; banjos and campfires; Marty entered
• The 60’s - Northside High School (lunch at the “Jewish” table); Judy leaves for college; Georgia Tech fraternity parties; Sweetheart; Lake Lanier; George Fox; working at Head Start; eating the entire summer; University of Michigan; pledging AEPhi; meeting Bobby; deactivating from AEPhi; parting hair in the middle; Lake House; boat and water skiing; writing songs during storms, sleeping separately; graduation trip to Europe (“Cohen, Lazarus and Lifchez”) and Israel (without air conditioning, “it’s bad for your health”); wedding at the A.A. Synagogue; rehearsal dinner skits; University of Boston and Harvard Law School; Women’s Lib
• The 70’s – Masters from BU; teach school; Bobby graduates; Mark lives with you and waits tables; fleeting plan to move to Canada; trip to Hendersonville, NC to visit where you went to camp; change of plans – move to NC; set up law practice; water shortage for 6 months; chop wood for fire; birthing of Robin in a Seventh Day Adventist hospital; pot luck dinners; trips to Atlanta and Detroit; move into newly renovated house in Hendersonville; Andy appears, all 9 lbs. 9 oz of him – via natural childbirth (crazy); birthday and anniversary skits
• The 80’s – Life in the Hendersonville rental house; move to Asheville; kids enter school; Sunday School Director; Donna; Bar Mitzvahs (Michael, Ross); more skits; swimming on Wesley Parkway; surgery and recovering; family trips; Camp Kogon; skits; PCA’s; Customer Service Detective is born; Canyon Ranch scholar-in-residence; road trips to Atlanta
• The 90’s – Robin’s Bat Mitzvah; walks around the bird sanctuary; Andy’s Bar Mitzvah; Family Mission to Israel; more family trips; more skits; “SIH”; Canyon Ranch; Donna; New Year’s Eve at Dunkin Donut; movies galore; Seders in the garage; email; Mayo Clinic with Mother and Daddy; College – University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan (3x), University of Vermont;
• The 2000’s – College graduations; children off the payroll; Grand Opening of Carol’s Spa; filming for Shalom Ya’ll and Moses (Bobby); weddings (Michael, Robin and Ross); next generation is started; Donna; more PCA’s; Canyon Ranch lamb chops; gray hair/less hair; arthritis; sore muscles; taking notes at appointments; reading glasses; “Welcome to Our Seder” commissioned by Carol and Bobby to commemorate the 10 Year Anniversary of Seder s in the garage; skits; internet; blogs
Thank you for sharing your life, friendship and memories with us. It has truly been a wonderful journey that we have traveled together for the past 60 years, and will continue to travel, as we enter the next decade(s). In The Life of Reason George Santayana said that “the family is one of nature’s masterpieces”; and Desmond Tutu stated, “You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them”. What a wonderful, masterful gift we share.
With much love,
Judy and Marty
Mark & Tova Cohen
Mark’s remaining memories of Carol:
§ Carol was an example to follow on how to react to teachers you didn’t like: throw a tantrum. She was really funny when she out of control
§ Memories from the back sit of the car: you don’t hit girls, even if your sisters are picking on you and pinching you.
§ Who’s ever heard of being allergic to the sun?! It must have something to do with red hair; I’m glad I don’t have red hair.
§ Freckles are different… it’s another red hair thing.
§ Hand-me-downs: why is she complaining they look new to me.
§ Not the greatest playmate; I don’t think she understands what’s fun.
§ First trip to
§ First house in the woods surrounded by trees – the quintessential flower children dwelling
§ Wood burning sauna: running through the snow to the sauna.
§ …many more we can’t remember and many more to come!
May you be blessed by the things over which you don’t have control and have the strength and courage to steer those which you do.
Nancy & Morris Deutsch
Dear Carol and Bob:
We wish you both a very happy 60th! Your love and support has meant a lot to us through the years. It's been great growing closer to you two in recent years.We share lots of special memories of times we spent together, from the mountains of Asheville, to the monuments in DC, to the top (and bottom) of the Wintergreen ski slopes, family cruises, Hilton Head, Toronto (Lion King), dinners at Boca Rio and Franklin Hills, and most recently hiking around the Swag.
Here's to 60 more years of special times, starting next month in Canyon Ranch. We love you!
Nancy and Morris
Robin Deutsch Edwards
I am grateful for the deep appreciate for family and community that you gave to me and for the genuine interest that you have in my interests, endeavors and day-to-day life.
I am grateful to have followed your example and become friends with my brother.
I am grateful that you have embraced Dave as part of the family.
I am grateful to have shared half of your life and look forward to adventures yet to come.
This blog is our gift to you on this occasion. We had fun pushing the limits of our technological prowess (or lack thereof) and reaching out to the large network of friends and family. This is a dynamic gift and one that we hope you’ll actively use (after we supply the requisite lessons!).
I love you – Robin
Dave Edwards
60 Greatest Moments in Just 6 Years (Just 1/10th of your lives!)
Introductions & Asheville:
1. First dinner at Flying Biscuit Midtown in Atlanta: Bob tells the story of getting poison ivy after necking with Carol on his first visit to meet Helen and Gerald.
2. Spagano Family email: April Fool’s joke…turned around on Bob when Dave forwards the email to Bob Edwards to let him know just who we were dealing with.
3. The Apprentice: Couples Edition: April Fool’s joke. Hook, line and sinker!
4. First whirlwind visit to Asheville: judge retirement party, “Howdy, Howdy”, Shabbat Dinner with the extended Asheville family.
5. Grand opening of Grove Arcade: voila!!! The Flying Walendas!
6. First hike with Bobby D. and Robin, and Bob keeps taking pictures: “I have a vision."
7. Months later, the second whirlwind trip to Asheville: lunch downtown, a quick jog, art exhibit, concert or 2.
8. Dave and Bob jog around Beaver Lake in their free 20 minutes before going to an art opening: when telling Bob that “I’m getting older and my knee and back hurt,” Bob quips, “F@%& you, Dave.” Straight for the jugular. Ouch.
9. The Windsor Road Sessions: Bob records his greatest hits. “Carol, go in the other room” when recording “It’s Easy To Make Her Cry”.
10. Dave’s fundraiser concert at Limerick Junction: the whole Deutsch/Cohen/Kogon family was there!
11. Walks with Carol to the bird sanctuary.
12. Kayaking/canoeing with Robin and Bob on Beaver Lake.
13. Bike rides and walks through the neighborhood and Beaver Lake...with heavy hands on…saying “hi” to all we pass.
14. Dining in Asheville, Deutsch-style: burritos, Trevi, Fresh Market apple pie.
15. Doc Watson & David Holt concert. “Railroad Bill”…
16. Tim O’Brien concert
17. Multiple MLK Day visits to Asheville: a tradition?
18. Casual jam sessions in the sun room: Beatles, the Band, James Taylor
19. Remembering Grandma Bea in Detroit: but that’s no excuse for a Deutsch mishap: Bob floods the hotel floor by flushing the toilet.
20. Shindig on the Green 2006: oh boy. Asheville’s finest.
21. Brisket prep (by the whole family) and a full, home-cooked Jewish meal in the Deutsch Sukkah.
22. Butcher Block Time – nothing else like it!
23. Miscellaneous, fridge-clearing “wrap” sandwiches with grilled veggies, honey mustard, and anything else that can be scrounged up.
24. Reading the morning paper at the Butcher Block and admiring the day’s most intriguing stories. Top story of all time: Woodfin Diaper Party.
25. Eli Evans speaks at UNC Asheville…then joins us back at the Deutsch house for pecan pie!
26. Bob and Dave take a tour of Sonopress.
27. Watching the Golden Globes in Asheville: Carol & Robin stationed in front of the TV and Dave on-call in the next room for celebrity references.
28. Opening up Bob’s trunk and trying to identify where he got a random camera equipment from.
Atlanta:
29. Christmas in Atlanta: dinner at the Golden “Booty” and the search for Gerald’s wallet.
30. Dinner at Fortune Cookie in Atlanta. We learned that Carol always wanted to be named “Brenda.”
31. Dinner in Atlanta with Robin and Carol at Sunflower Café. Perhaps one of Robin’s last meals EVER at a vegetarian restaurant.
32. Walks and jogs in Atlanta along the Chatahoochie.
33. Atlanta Weekend of Mayhem #1: Eve’s baby naming, a quick change in the AA bathrooms, and then off to Marc & Brynne Goncher’s wedding…Bob and Carol driving away ever-so-slowly and waving…
34. Hanging out at the Lake House.
35. Dave’s 32nd birthday party at Andy’s Atlanta Bachelor Pad – and the entire selection of chips and crackers courtesy of Bob’s shopping spree at Whole Foods.
36. Final Four 2007 in Atlanta: the wait for Robin’s arrival from NYC – constant phone calls throughout her 12-hour adventure.
New York:
37. “The Parents Meet” in NYC: W Hotel, Moving Out – the musical, Blue Fin, Bistango, the “winning lottery ticket” – a full weekend of celebration.
38. Limo ride around New York: Golly!
39. Bob’s first solo trip to NYC: CanStruction, Golda’s Balcony, Indian cuisine, a jog through Central Park, Frank Rich interviews Terry Gross; staying at Walter and Larry’s place.
40. Robin’s NYU Graduation Weekend in NYC: LIVE! at the Apollo!
41. NYC phone calls to Asheville: Carol referencing the map, “where are you now?”
Wedding/Engagement:
42. Driving Up To Asheville: Dave sends his “popping the question” song to Bob. Then in a later phone conversation, Bob urges Dave to “move it along” because “Carol has trouble keeping secrets.”
43. Robin and Dave call to share the news of their engagement. Bob and Carol answer the phone and Robin says, “I said yes.” Their response: “To what?”
44. The treacherous drive to visit Charlene on Cold Mountain – a true team-building experience.
45. Summer of 2004 in Saratoga: The Deutsch/Cohen/Kogon and Edwards families bond as Carol recovers.
46. Bob becomes the mayor of Saratoga in a matter of weeks.
47. Opening wedding gifts in the Deutsch living room and downstairs.
48. Wedding preparation: Wednesday night dinners with our respective families. Dave has a perfect evening with Bob & Sue, while disaster strikes the Deutsch family.
49. Pre-wedding festivities at Shangri-La. Asian Asheville-style: acoustic guitar jam with fiddle and a chorus of singers.
50. The Wedding: Dancing to the tunes of purple-suited Complete Desire (wedding band and escort service).
And more:
51. Carol’s customer service presentation: “If you don’t know me by now, you will never, never, ever know me. Oooh ooh ooh.”
52. Rehearsing the skit for Ross and Sara’s rehearsal dinner….only to be outdone by their own Apprentice skit.
53. D.C. Family trip for Emily’s graduation & Morris’s concert. Embassy Suites, Yip Harburg classics and a round of Beatles tunes in the Deutsch living room.
54. Thanksgiving 2005 in Saratoga: Carol’s big return to Saratoga!
55. Saratoga Thanksgiving: Football in the snow followed by drinks at the Parting Glass…a true manly experience.
56. The First Annual Oscar Competition: Carol narrowly wins with her well-researched selection of “You Know It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp”.
57. The Second Annual Oscar Competition: Carol crushes the field.
58. Thanksgiving in Hilton Head: walks and football on the beach.
59. Phone conversations on Sunday nights ending abruptly at 9 p.m. when The Sopranos come on.
60. Family Reunion 2006: Guitar Hero competitions. My mother-in-law made me very proud.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Dave
Connie & Tom Glaser
SIX DECADES OF INTER-CONNECTIVITY
Detroit, 1959At Joe Cornell
We won the prizeBob was the best
Of all the guys(Connie wasn’t so bad either)
The Sixties and Seventies
Our parallel lives
Couldn’t be finer…
Michigan, Cambridge, andNorth Carolina
(Who was following whom? You, of course, were always 6 months older!)
Main StreetNineteen seventy-five
Bob opens his office
The Glasers arrive(Along with Bernice and Al, Mead Parce and other H’ville notables)
The Eighties and NinetiesSavannah, Lodge Freeway
Our lives intersectWith children and simchas
We always connect(Let me count the ways…Old Edwards Inn, The Swag, Big Fork, Whitefish, Inishbofen, Dingle…and “Whatever you do, #$% GO over Connor’s Pass”)
2000 and BeyondJuly 4th and New Years
We’re always together
Enjoying great laughs
In spite of the weather
(So what if it’s 10 below, Bob – of course, we’re up for the fireworks!)Your friendship’s provided
A boatload of pleasure
Here’s to Carol and Bobby
Our national treasure!
(And here’s to Lucy and Ricky… and another six decades of fun, joy, and laughter!)
With all our love to the world’s best friends,Connie and Tom
Shelly, Harvey, Josh & Julia Berman
It is amazing how young 60 is today (it didn’t used to be that young!!). We love you and wish you both your happiest birthdays yet, with a special wish for healthy years to come. We miss seeing you in Ann Arbor, but maybe we can connect in NY soon.
All our love, Shelly, Harvey, Josh, and Julia.
Harriet Miller
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Aunt Harriet
Andy Deutsch
Dear Mom and Dad:
60 is pretty special. You have so many special aspects to your life - and both friends and family have repeatedly told them to me as we launched this website.
"Andy - your parents are so full of energy!" (I know, was my response.)
"Andy - they are so vibrant and full of ideas." (Again, I know, was my response. Especially after 12 cups of coffee before 8 AM)
"Andy - your dad could out run me." (That's true. He could outrun everyone.)
"Andy - how does your mom do so much for the community?" (Answer: NO idea - she just does.)
I think back over my short 27 year life and how much both of you have influenced me - both from an early age, and still to this day. There is not a phone conversation that doesn't end with this statement from you, Dad: "Well, would you like anymore advice?" The answer is, and always will be (though I don't always say it) yes.
There will be no time in my life that I shouldn't/wouldn't welcome advice from the 2 smartest, most caring, loving, and thoughtful people in my life. I admire y'all for a number of reasons:
You chose your own path - lived in Hendersonville, when no one said you should.
You started your own companies (legal and customer service), when the easier path would be to just get a job somewhere.
You shaped the community around you, when it would have been easier to just let the community shape you.
You have embraced the opportunities, success and failures that life has offered. Your life has not been without challenges, but I truly believe that you have learned from every one of them – and become better people as a result.
You have truly filtered what is important in your life – at 60 you have had ample time to really prioritize. And, it’s clear in the way you live what those priorities are: Family, Friends, Community, Fun, and Knowledge/Wisdom.
As you enter your 7th Decade (WOW) – take all of these characteristics and continue to utilize and grow them.
I am so lucky to have had 27 years with you as my parents. From being a 9 lb 9 oz baby boy to a Husky pre-teen, to a semi-financially viable young adult, you have been there every step of the way, to provide advice (“hey, you can either take my advice, or flush it down the toilet”), love, nurturing and anything else I could ever need.
I couldn’t be happier to be in Asheville to celebrate both of your 60th birthdays.
I love you so much,
Andy
Sara, Ross & Marion Kogon
Aunt Carol and Uncle Bobby
On your 60th birthday we wanted to send you best wishes from our whole family!
As we sit here writing this we have a new member of the family who cannot wait to get to know her great aunt and uncle. We have told them about the warm hearts and wonderful adventures of Aunt Carol and Uncle Bobby. People who are fun, kind and always have open arms and hearts.We are so happy for y’all on this simcha and await many, many, many more to celebrated together as mishpacha!
Happy birthday and we love you so much
Sara, Ross and Marion Kogon
Debi Miles and Marc Rudow
Glossary of Deutschim Terminolgy (alphabetically)
"Andy told me about this new show on TV he started watching" – A sign that a show is about to be an incredible success and run for 20 years
(____________, do you know_____________? - Bob's three -dimensional (with sound) version of name tags – whether you are on the trail, at shul, or playing music!
"Customer Service" –non profit, for profit…Carol's tm - Make nice in every encounter….try to be helpful.
"Do you want to know the Robert J. Deutsch theory?"… – Bob's creative, clear and cogent solution to any problem.
"Get out of my office and stay out" – an indication that Bob's legal representation of you has terminated on less than standard good terms (something we all wish we had the nerve to say)
"It's for Israel" – It takes priority…olim, dignitaries, folks you meet on the road, every chance you get – and take everyone with you.
"I've got PA's today" – Carol's busy
"Judy says" – When someone is worthy of great respect …a maven… even in Asheville.
Machatunim – first people in our generation to have such counterparts – here is a shout out to Bob and Sue with the nicest "My Dave" in the world.
Mittin and Drinnin…Oy –This is in the middle of everything and it is all boloxed up – a real mess but you have to put a smile on the punim and go on.
"My Robin"/"My Andy" – Looks like a possessive form but in practice more like "I'm your biggest fan!" what every child should have in their corner – a supportive family.
"Shabbat at Mothers" – This means someone has cooked for a week, lots of people there …the good kind of obligation.
"Usual Suspects" – We are going to Bob and Carol's for Shabbat
"With underwriting from the Deutsch Family Fund" – a great lesson in the most important spending there is…tzedekah.
"What a beautiful day" alternate form "What a day!"- (emphasize the "What") – Small talk to made by Bob after riding his bike for 40 miles.
X, X, and X (for the 3d time) – Template for one of Bob "O'Carolan" Deutsch's odes to his friends (like "Duvey, Duvey, Duvey, your name is like a song" Copyright RJD Productions 2002 –or Tekiah, Tekiah, Tekiah, the Sound of the Shofar.)
"You just do this" – The simple solution to a complicated situation a la "Robert J. Deutsch".
ZZZZZ – Shabbat afternoon ….don't call .
This is all to say….with great love and affection….the best on 60 years! Here is to more years of friendship….. until we "rest in the grave".
Love, Debi and Marc
Jimmy Smolev
Bobby was no longer that chubby little camper, but he had become the most extra-ordinary (and buff) man I had- and to this day-have ever met. I have gone on most of the canoe trips. Both of my daughters have spent time with Bob and Carol-either as their guests in Asheville before Jenny and I did Outward Bound, or dinner in Ann Arbor when Melanie and I had dinner with Bob and Robin when she was a Uof M freshman {Go Blue!}.
I have continued to be inspired by Bobby's life- and his life with Carol. If there is a 21st CenturyRenaissance Man, it is Bob Deutsch. He is a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, lawyer, author, rabbi, son of Israel, tripper, singer-songwriter, and overall nurturer.
The dictionary defines the word "mensch":"someone who resembles Bobby Deutsch." I have Bobby's beautiful memorial that he wrote forour friend, Harris Cohen, "The Bowman", hanging in my room at home, and I read it whenever I need inspiration, or serenity, or perspective. I feel truly blessed that Bob Deutsch considers me his friend. I always want to be a better person because of Bobby, and Carol.
Jimmy Smolev
David & Riva Rosenberg
But what stands out for me is when i was about 11 or 12 (35 years ago!) my father took myself & my brother to visit in beautiful Hendersonville, N.C. We arrived on a friday just in time to see Bobby the lawyer in legal action at the courthouse. He was examining (or cross examining) a witness. "So, are you saying that you saw the defendant approachingthe screen door?" ". . . and after he was on the porch. . .. but he didn't enter the home. . . " I thought, "wow, this is what lawyers do--I can do that!"
Carol had made us dinner and we were getting a tour of the house. I just have this visceral memory of her being so warm & loving--the whole southern accent and manner reminded me of my own mother. I also remember how beautiful the house was and the mountains. Bobby was really hyping up going for a hike the next morning. I remember telling him that we hiked at camp (Tamarack) and that it would be no big deal. The next morning we went on a hike and all I remember is passing out in the back of his pick up truck and my father saying that they're too heavy to pick up! I was dead to the world and could hardly move.
When we got back to Michigan I told my friends that I went hiking with my cousin and that we went for 100 miles and that I collapsed (the word I heard my father and Bobby say). But most of all I remember the trip as a wonderful time with my grown up cousins who were so much older than me--but yet, so cool.
Love,
David
_______________________________________
I can't believe its your 60th birthday. I have to say that even though we don't see each other often enough, you have always been an inspirational couple to me. You are both kind, generous of spirit, warm, down to earth, and loving people. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. You have raised two of the sweetest and greatest young adults that we know. David and I aspire to give Matthew and Sofie the wonderful upbringing that you have shared with Robin and Andy. We can only hope that they turn out as well as your kids.
A funny memory of Carol...
Do you remember Emily's bat mitzvah? We are in the hotel lobby chatting, Sofie is 3 and Matthew is 5(I think). Sofie has this dolly which she totally adores and she has named her Carol. I think its so funny that she has named her Carol and that Carol's name is Carol so I say, "Sofie, do you know what her name is?" (pointing to Carol)- Sofie says "no". I say, "it's Carol, just like your dolly". At this moment, for some unknown reason, Sofie decides its a good idea to to pretend she's a Red Sox pitcher and throws that doll at Carol's face. Ouch! Carol is clearly in pain but is gracious about the whole incident- no surprise. I am of course totally mortified. Sofie starts to cry. I have to say that she has never thrown anything at anyone since then. Thanks for being so understanding, Carol!
Something I love about Bobby:
Bobby, I love your musical talent and how you enhance any family event by doing a song about it. I remember... our rehearsal dinner- David was the teacher, Riva was the student....A cute little ditty about the beginning of our love. Thanks for making that night so special!
I love you both and wish you at least another 60 years of health, love and happiness!!! Happy Birthday!
Riva
Laurie, Rick, Alice, Margaret, and Gabe
Our first question is, will you two ever slow down enough for mere 50-somethings to keep up with you? Gosh, Bob, somedays I don't even know if a 14 1/2 year old (Gabe) can keep up with you! Of course, we don't want you to slow down except around the Shabbat dinner table with the usual suspects. Your friendship and love has enriched and deepened our lives. You remain an inspiration to us in every way--showing us the way to be better friends, members of the community, and citizens of the world. We wish you both good health, joy, and lots of love as you enter what we are sure will be another miraculous decade on your amazing journeys! And we look forward to spending the next decade, too, with you as friendship continues to deepen. Happy birthday to two amazing people with we feel blessed to call our dear friends!
Love, Laurie, Rick, Alice, Margaret, and Gabe
Mark Leemon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUSE
But, I don’t want to disappoint your excellent kids, and after all, I promised, so here goes. If some of these thoughts seem sketchy or vague to others, I’m confident that you will get the gist.
How absolutely certain Bobby was that you were the one within nanoseconds of his meeting you in
Your morning look with your hair up in big rollers and the ever fashionable flannel nightgown and floppy slippers.
Our place on
The time I brought my neighbor Betty from the cockroach manor in Allston over to your place in
The Night of the Living Dead.
How funny it was, for whatever reason, the first time you did “the language lab”.
The conversation in
You traveling through the dark of morning and the dark of evening to and from Chelmsford High in grownup dress clothes while we went to school and messed around. I’m sure none of us were sensitive enough to how alienating it must have been.
The auction barn in
Teaching ESL to the hill folk.
Your description of the potluck featuring lime Jell-o with mayo.
Discovering our shared love of kitchen organization and the perfect container, when I kept house for you.
Your (practically) unfailing grace during Bernice’s inspection tours.
Your bizarre maladies and injuries and the good humor (at least in retrospect) with which you bore them.
Your unfailing friendliness to my various girlfriends and wives, the good and the questionable.
The ICU in
Your triumphal appearance at Robin’s wedding.
How your house has always been my house, even when you might not have always been in the mood.
Happy Birthday to you.
Once again you are testing the birthday waters for me six weeks ahead, as you have for more than 50 years. From our “club” on Boo Krolik’s garage roof to weeks ago in
Perhaps it was that trip to
Horse
Climbing back and forth over the Wordens’ fence so often, we kept destroying it.
Pretend baseball in the street.
My mom’s mandel bread
Dinner with the Deutsches at
Bernice locking the freezer
Finding out about Wimpy’s “bad ear” the hard way
Findng out about Wimpy’s bad digestive system the hard way.
Sleepovers
Hot afternoons watching baseball and playing cards in your blessed air conditioning.
Mr. Plofkin
Mr. Ben-Dor
The Sultans. Just one of the places you made room for me that might not otherwise have been there.
Your willingness and ability to talk to (shudder) girls. Thank God you needed no wingman.
Playing Sammy football. We lined up right next to each other.
Drunk and crying with Al at your wedding.
The joy of watching your kids catch on to and get a kick out of all of your obsessive shticks.
I of course remember when you were as round as you were high, while I sprung up early. Nonetheless, you were always more coordinated, quicker (though not faster), and certainly more game. It never would have crossed my mind to wrestle in High School.
These memories and thousands of others as kids and adults of course leave out the emotional stuff, which for the most part we have always left unsaid. It makes me happy and comfortable to be with you. I know what and how you think and you know what and how I think. You have always been accepting and welcoming of my mishegass as I hope I have been with yours. Although I may not always feel less crazy around you, it has always been plain that my craziness was OK, or at least didn’t matter. There may be a hundred people I spend time with or even talk to more frequently than you, but I would never think of anyone else as my best friend. I’ve got your back, and I’m sure you’ve got mine.
So Happy Birthday, old man. I look forward to the time (which I have always assumed is coming) when we can spend more time and birthdays together. As the kids say, you’re my BFF.
Penny & Larry Deitch
Happy Birthday! How do we begin to collect and recall all that we've shared over 40 years? We're not up to creating a Cohen/Deutsch memory book or poem or skit or musical or operetta, so we have no choice but to just let it flow. Of course it all began at Michigan, with Mary Markley Hall and Sigma Alpha Mu providing the bases for our friendship. The remarkable and wonderful thing is that it didn't just fade into the collegiate sunset when we left Ann Arbor. We are so proud and happy that we have stayed close through so many phases of our lives, and that we are able to share our 60th birthdays now.
Here we go: Meeting you guys at Markley, very early freshman year, a couple of out-of-state girls encountering all these Michigan folks. Carol, those long talks sitting on the floor in the dorm hallway; I was trying to conduct a conversation, but transfixed by your cosmetic-removing routine. Helping Carol shop for and survive the first Michigan winter...and helping Carol shop for the next 4 years! Bob, Carol, Penny, Mark, etc., etc., hanging out in the Markley cafeteria and study halls...surely not studying. Then, Larry and Bobby as Sammies..classic fraternity life?...Roommates all once again on Forest Court and neighboring apts. As we shared last month at Larry's big birthday, you guys were critical to the first (and only) surprise party for a Larry Deitch milestone birthday: without Bob's intervention, there would have been no guest of honor. Other great parties include dinner at Penny's apartment on Hill Street, and our graduation lunc heon on Forest Court.
And then that Law School era vacation in Montreal and Quebec City...in December! Who else would have agreed to a trip to that climate to spend time with a friend with sun allergies? But, we made up for it over the course of many years with various trips to in-laws' Florida vacation homes, your homes in Atlanta, Asheville, Hendersonville, Hilton Head, and ours in Sarasota. Also the Rose Bowl. Vacation bonus: membership in Bob's Adventure Club...truth be told now: we really hated that sea kayaking in Hilton Head. But, Billy loved hanging out with you (especially since Bob was paddling.)
Things do truly "come around." How wonderful to be able to re-group when Robin and Andy came to UM...especially with Robin as Leslie's Tri Delt Big Sis. Sarah ending up at Harvard Law School, and Penny having the pleasure of mentoring Robin. Going through life's challenges together also. And, the life cycle events: the passing of parents...and the coming of age of our children, a couple of weddings already.
So here we are, so many years later. Still friends, working together, spending time, staying connected. We love you and cherish our friendship all the more after 40 years. Happy Birthday.
Love,
Penny and Larry
Laurie Kogon
(Uncle Bobby, I know you said that since I am a mother, I should call you Bobby and not Uncle Bobby. But, I feel that now that you are 60, you’ve re-earned the title Uncle!)
Both of you are such wonderful people. I am always amazed at your thoughtfulness. From your unbelievably creative skits (thank goodness for your creativity!) to your incredibly well thought out “chach”, you put your love for the family and passion into everything you do. I thank you for everything that you do for all of us.
Bobby, I love chatting with you about all the nonsense celebrity gossip and Carol, I love hearing your animated and exciting stories.
I wish you both a wonderful birthday. The best is yet to come! To love, health, and happiness! L’Chaim!
Love,
Laurie Kogon
Marcy Goldberg
Lots of love,
Marcy
Ronna & Merv Hellman
It is with much love that we send you birthday wishes on your 60th birthdays. May you be blessed with much health, love, happiness and peace in the coming years. Now the two of you have joined the elite family group who are in our sixties---and it's really not so bad!
Love to you both,
Ronna and Merv
Sue & Stan Greenberg
We haven't figured out the secret of how you can do it all.
In any event, it is our pleasure to be with you to celebrate your 60th Birthdays.
Sue and Stan Greenberg
This is a little Bob story. Your dad and I have been partners in various businesses and real estate deals for over 18 years, and during most of that time, we've been office mates as well. Our offices have a small men's room and a large ladies room. But there happens to be an extra bathroom which is in my office. It is only used by myself and your dad as our private restroom.
I have learned over time that your dad is frugal about electricity. Whenever someone is not in their office, he'll come in and shut out the lights. For a long time I used to come back from a meeting to find the lights out in my office and never knew who turned them out, nor did I care.
On occasion, either myself or your dad would be working late in the office sometimes till dark. The way I found out it was him was one night we were both working late, and I went to the bathroom. When I came out of the bathroom I was in total darkness as your dad had left and turned out the lights.
The next day I asked him if he was the one who goes around turning out lights and he confessed that that was his obsession. By the way, even now on many occasions in the middle of the day I would step out of the bathroom only to find my office lights turned out.
Stan
Stanley & Judy Kolodkin
We chuckled, but I don't think they ever saw the humor in it.
Stanley and Judy Kolodkin
Adam & Matthew Cantor, Emily & Greg Grossman
Happy 60th Birthday! We feel so lucky to have you as family and friends. We have grown up listening to the stories and tales of your youth, and we are thrilled to share in this milestone.
Much love to you both,
Adam, Emily, Greg, and Matthew
Phyllis & Wayne Lazarus
Now that you are both 60 I’ve got good and bad news for you. Here is the bad first, you both still need to wait two more years to qualify for the senior discounts at most cinemas and museums and other good things. Not to even mention that Social Security is another couple of years – if there is anything left in it. Now the good part, I guess that means you are still young!
You are a wonderful couple who are sharing a journey together filled with so much joy and also some unique challenges. We all have our own dramas and how we all face them is what makes each of us unique. I must say that through all the good and not so good times you both have shown us how to face it all with dignity and humor.
I remember that first time meeting you both at Elaine and Alan Kolodkin’s home for our engagement party in 1974. I was meeting all the cousins and will always remember you two coming dressed for a prom. I knew then that you were a very special couple and cousins that I would always look forward to being with.
May you both celebrate 60 more years with the joy of life that you have shown in the first 60!
Mazel tov,
Phyllis and Wayne
Kenny Foon
Happy Birthday Bob and Carol!
So let me begin at the beginning. I was sitting in the middle of a gigantic lecture hall at the
I have way too many Bob stories to share in this first gloss effort. Bob and I have been best friends since childhood where we first met at
Bob and I more or less grew up in each others homes. We went to Cass Tech for two years together before he moved to
I'll stop here and I just want to say how much I cherish our friendship. You are two of the finest people I have ever known and I feel privileged that you consider me a friend.
Happy 60th
Love,
Kenny
Chuck & Robby Robinson
Sincerely,
Chuck & Robby
Ronna and Rob Resnick
I go back along way with Bobby, as I went to Hebrew School with him.
All of us went to Michigan but I really didn't connect with them in Ann
Arbor. Then we all moved to Boston but again no connection..
Where did we all rendezvous but in Asheville, NC. Finally.
My dad had a haberdashery store where he made a hat for Bobby's
grandfather. But more interesting than that is the house I grew up in
belonged
to Bobs aunt Elaine. When my folks bought the house they also bought
some of the furniture. The coffee table upstairs in the hallway
belonged to Aunt Elaine.
We've come full circle. It's nice to have friends like the Deutsch's.
Happy birthday and the best of health to you both.
Love, Ronna and Rob
Lauren Estrin
It has been so very special to celebrate both of your birthdays together in Asheville. I wish I could sing happy birthday to you like the opera singer, but I'm tone deaf! So I will just say mazel tov and wish you many more happy and healthy years together.
Love, Lauren
Carrie Edwards & Jason Ellis
1. You are so very warm and sincere and care so much about your family and friends
2. You are always ready to celebrate any and every occasion in a unique and heartfelt way
3. You are welcoming and make everyone feel as if they are a special part of your family
4. Generous is something that you have been not only to us and our family but to Jason's family. You always go the extra mile and never forget a special or important time in the lives of those you are close to.
5. You are so REAL- you are fun, funny, and completely authentic! It is always such a pleasure being together- sharing stories and leanring more and more about you and laughing at the similarities between our familes.
6. You are strong and inspirational and have proven that the power of a positive mind and strong values and beliefs will guide you through any challenge or struggle.
We are honored and grateful to be a part of your family and share in this amazing celebration of 60 years of Carol and Bob. May the days, weeks, months and years get even better, brighter and more joy filled for you both!
With Love,
Carrie and Jason
Kirsten & Bobby Fatzinger
10. An endless supply of rice casserole at 27 Windsor Road
9. For letting Robin be my chauffeur for what felt like a lifetime
8. And then letting Andy be the first person to ride with me when I got my license
7. The Raptor Center
6. Followed by the Dead Show
5. And then the subsequent April Fools’ jokes
4. Because Bobby D + Bobby F = the 2-Bob crew
3. And because you never caught us sneaking out to the golf course (or else you let us get away with it)
2. For always asking good questions
And the number one reason why I’m grateful to you as parents and friends:
1. For caring about the answers to those questions
Congratulations on your birthdays, Bob and Carol—here’s to many more wonderful adventures!
I love ya!
--Kirsten (D#2)
Sue & Bob Edwards "The Machatunim"
Part 1 MEET THE PARENTS
The day I received the new revised version of the MEET THE PARENTS video, I had the feeling that meeting Carol and Bob the parents of the "deelishus" woman our son had chosen to marry was not going to be an ordinary experience.
The very first day we met, Carol and Robin had invited future mother-in-law to join them for the wedding dress hunt at Kleinfeld's in Brooklyn. Within a few hours, Carol (almost a stranger) was in my arms and we were teary as we gazed at Robin, wide eyed and beautiful when she found "THE DRESS".Needless to say we bonded and there was great joy!!
Part 2 MEET THE FAMILY
June 24, 2004, ...the Kogons, the Cohens, the Deutschs and many others made the voyageup to Saratoga to celebrate Robin and Dave's engagement and soon to be wedding.
On the way to Saratoga Carol became critically ill....and the joy and celebrating halted while family and friends arrived and stayed with Bob and I to sit vigil and support Carol, Bob , Robin and Andy. It was then that we learned the true meaning of unconditional love and devotion. We spent hours, days, weeks, talking, eating, praying for Carol's recovery..and she did.!!!!!
The silver lining to this very difficult time is that we are friends and family for life (not just the in-laws). We know the family stories..the jokes, who the 100 cousins and great-great-aunts are , the "buthcher-block" etc..etc..We have inherited a beautiful , amazing family that we love and cherish.
We look forward to many joyous shared experiences and hopefully travels.
Carol...you are a sister, a soulmate!!
Bobby.....you are 1 in 10 million!!! We knew from the start we always needed our sneakers on to run, go , do , try , read...you name it. You keep us going . The human bionic computer man.
REFLECT....REJOICE ..AND ENJOY YOUR 60TH BIRTHDAYS !!!!!! , Love Sue
i hope i don't echo sue's comments but if so, it's one of the privlieges of already being 60.
after a brief but most enjoyable first meeting in the big apple which included dinner, a jazz club, a dinner for breakfast, and a joint purchase of failed mega lotto tickets we concluded our first meeting.
if i recall correctly (again another privilege of being 60) our 2nd visit wasn't all that it was supposed to be. it turned into an extended visit by the entire family as carol took ill in saratoga. because of the great outcome, we experienced something that most future in-laws never do - we met and fell in love with a whole new set of relatives (who insisted i cook for them every night - just kidding marty, judy, mark & tova, dennis, morris). if not for these unusual events we probably would only have a short passing meeting with all of them at the wedding in ashville. to wrap this up being 60 is simple - you have to show up and whatever miracle it took - WE ALL MADE IT! have a great birthday and take it from someone whose been there, 60 ain't bad
love bob
Phyllis & Richard Canvasser
TOP TEN THINGS EVERYONE LOVES ABOUT BOBBY AND CAROL
10. Carols southern accent and Bobby's Midwest accent
9. Their ideas of adventure- Bobby going camping with the boys & Carol traveling & staying in hotels
8. Their love for family both near & far
7. Their commitment to a small town community with big hearts of gold
6. Always keeping in touch no matter how long it has been in between phone calls or emails
5. Being at all the family parties whether they are in winter, spring, summer or fall.
4. Sharing memories of our Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, & the stories they tell so well
3. Rooting for our teams in Michigan and NC
2. For being unselfish and giving to all those lives you touch
AND THE #1 THING EVERYONE LOVES ABOUT BOBBY AND CAROL IS:
BEING WHO THEY ARE IS WHAT THEY DO BEST!
Shirley & Mac Katzin
Cousins Shirley and Mac
Evie S. White
Evie S. White
Carol has been a driving force and inspiration behind much of The Community Foundation’s best marketing and communications ideas. As chair of our committee, she continually surprises and delights the board with presentations about our upcoming events and activities. Her imaginative ideas are seemingly endless. Personally, she has been a friend and mentor whose generosity continually overwhelms me. It is a privilege to work with her, and thank my lucky stars every day that she serves as a board member for the foundation. I wish your mom and dad all the best on their birthdays!
Sincerely,
Evie S. White
Barbara & Burt Chasnov
Barbara & Burt Chasnov
CAROL AND BOBBY.....It's amazing that you've joined the over 60 crowd as it seems like yesterday when you looked like this 
We're here with 
Now of course, a lot has happened since you were young and innocent because today you've earned the right to have a
You've also earned the right to eat your 
Enjoy each moment and celebrate every day with
LOVE TO YOU BOTH,
COUSINS BARBARA AND BURT
Michele & Michael Heller
Dear Carol and Bob,
When we moved to Asheville 18 years ago we never imagined how lucky we would be to live right across the street from you. The years have made us much more than neighbors...you are special friends. We have watched your garden blossom, your children mature into wonderful adults, and your love and devotion to eachother grow stronger each year. Happy happy birthday to both of you! We wish you a long lifetime of happiness together with many more celebrations to come.
Much love,
Michele and Michael
Cheryl & Ed Finkel
Cheryl & Ed Finkel
We raise a toast to Carol and Bob, now rounding the corner to 60 years, going full speed ahead on the road to the future –
full of ideas and projects
full of enthusiasm
fully alive to each day’s possibilities
May you continue to bring your energy and passion to each other and to all of us who love and celebrate you…
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Cheryl and Ed Finkel
Joyce, Mark & Andrew Davidson
Joyce, Mark and Andrew Davis
I am racking my brain for a juicy story about babysitting for Bobby (of course I can't be that old) but the slate has been wiped clean. He was terrific as a kid and he is a very special person now. We will just take this opportunity to wish both Bobby and Carol the happiest of birthday wishes, good health, and peace. We hope to have many more opportunities for joyous celebrations together--dancing, singing, good food, laughter, theater and hiking in the glorious mountains. Please, please come visit us in Palo Alto soon!!! Love, Cousin Joyce, Mark and Andrew Davidson
Janet & Joel Greenhill
Welcome to the 60's Club. Joel and I qualified for membership several months ago, and now you guys get to join this elite group. We're comprised of some truly amazing people who've experienced life and have lived to tell about it! Like a good, red wine, the longer we're around, the better we get. Carol and Bobby, we wish you a very happy birthday!
Love, Janet & Joel
Ricky Kohn
Mazel Tov to Carol & Bob Deutsch
U of M brought them together, and because of that union,
the lives of all that know them have been enriched many, many times over.
Dedicated partners, parents, Jews, and community workers.
On our Trips in the woods, Bob is the glue that holds us together,
sets our goals, gathers our wood, builds our fires, carries our packs
and canoes, and keeps the conversation, our lives and our expectations grounded.
The Canadian Kohns wish you both many more years of happiness, good health
and peace together.
Jill, Richard, and Adam Kohn.
