Robert "Bob" Alan Stern's Obituary
Robert “Bob” Alan Stern, age 81, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida, the city he proudly called home for more than six decades.
Bob was born on August 15, 1944, in Miami, Florida, and was raised in Miami Beach. He moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, where he earned his undergraduate degree as a history major and went on to graduate from UF law school.
He was the devoted husband of Connie Stern, his college sweetheart with whom he shared 55 wonderful years of marriage. He was the loving father of Laurie (Randy) Torban, Amy (Robert) Wilson, and Mark (Alexandra) Stern; and devoted Poppy to his grandchildren Madeline and Emily Torban, Parker and Graham Wilson, and Oliver and Elliott Stern. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Estelle Stern. Bob is also survived by his sister, Arlene (Walter) Kolker, of Coral Gables, Florida.
Bob was respected and loved by all who knew him, both professionally and socially. He was known for his kindness, integrity, and quiet strength. He practiced law for over 50 years as a respected real estate attorney, representing countless Gainesville clients. It was nearly impossible to go anywhere in town without someone stopping him to say hello.
Bob was an avid Florida Gator fan and a proud season ticket holder for both Gator football and basketball. He loved attending and watching games, cheering on the Gators, and making it a shared tradition with his children and grandchildren.
Bob had a lifelong fascination with aviation and space exploration. In his younger years, he earned his pilot’s license and owned a small plane, and he proudly attended many space shuttle launches during the 1980s.
Above all, he was a hardworking, gentle, and sweet man whose greatest joy was having his entire family together in one place. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by those he loved.
A service honoring Bob will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation B’nai Israel, 3830 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, Florida, with interment to follow at B’nai Israel Cemetery, 1101 East University Ave. Shiva will be observed at Congregation B’nai Israel Monday through Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m.
Donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the University of Florida Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases.
Arrangements by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home.
May his memory be a blessing.
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