Robert B. Hirschman

April 15, 2024

Obituary

Robert B. Hirschman, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness, on April 15. Born in Newark, NJ on April 9, 1943, Bob was the son of Dr. Jules and Irene Epstein. Six months later, Dr. Epstein, an Army dentist, was lost at sea when his torpedoed transport ship sank off the coast of Italy. Bob was adopted by his mother’s second husband, Irving Hirschman.

Bob was raised in Millburn, NJ where he often awoke before dawn to go trout fishing in Diamond Mill Pond. A proud and active member of the Millburn High School class of ’61, he received a degree in Political Science from Drew University and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Kean University.

On February 1, 1965, while purchasing second semester textbooks at Drew, Bob struck up a conversation with Marianne. They’ve been together since and married on June 17, 1966 in Upper Nyack, NY.

Bob began his career in education teaching third grade at 15th Avenue School in Newark. That was followed by teaching in Randolph and becoming principal in Rumson, Bound Brook and Hillsborough. While living in NJ, Bob served three terms on the Readington Board of Education.

In 1993, Bob and Marianne retired to the Cape, happily making their home in Brewster. He worked briefly at Nauset Sports and served as director of Lower Cape Outreach Council. Bob was proud to serve two terms as Brewster Selectman.

Calling Bob an “avid fisherman” would be an understatement. Whether at Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park or sailing out of Sesuit Harbor on the “Bass Tub” looking for stripers, he was in his element. A lifelong tennis player, Bob looked forward to his mornings on the court with the Brewster Senior Tennis group. For many years Bob was a member of Captains Golf Course enjoying time with family and friends. Bob was a skilled ice skater and avid hockey fan, rooting first for the Rangers in his youth, then the Devils, and finally the Bruins. He also loved landscaping and even looked forward to mowing the lawn.

Bob was a 30 year member of Northside United Methodist Church and cared for his church family.

Closest to Bob’s heart was his family. Their last gathering was on Easter Sunday when he knew time was precious. He is survived by his loving wife, Marianne (Weishaar), his dear daughters Allison (Mark) Wetzel of Brewster and Katy (Joe) Killilea of Barrington, RI. “Grandpa Bob” never missed an opportunity to brag about his devoted grandchildren: Abby (Kit) Dillon, Melanie Wetzel, Jack and Briggs Killilea. He also is survived by his brother, Paul, of Boca Raton, FL.