Robert Darby Harper JR, 73, of Westchester, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on September 8, 2017. Bob was predeceased by his father, Robert D. Harper SR, of Bergenfield, NJ, in 1981, and by his brother, David J. Harper SR, of Ridgewood, NJ, in 2010. He is survived by his adoring mother, Doris Harper of Ridgewood, NJ, his three beloved children, Scott, Robert (Kate Nelson), and Emily (Matthew Gilfus), and by so many friends and family members who loved him dearly.

Bob was a wonderful guy-- a family man through and through. His three children were the light of his life and he spoke of them constantly and with pride to anyone who would listen (whether or not they wanted to). He was funny, with a nerdy and snarky sense of humor, and was very intelligent. Bob enjoyed sports, particularly soccer, with Manchester United as his favorite team, only slightly above FC Westchester, and loved to spend time watching and excitedly commenting on the intricate footwork and plays of the athletes. He was impatient and stubborn, but was also incredibly generous, most of all with his time. And of course he was devoted-- especially to his family, whom he loved beyond all else.

Bob was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived on Long Island, NY with his parents and younger brother until they relocated as a family to Bergenfield, NJ. Bob received an athletic scholarship in bowling while attending college, and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, working afterwards in the garment district, and later as a partner in his own apparel company. In retirement, Bob worked as a driver for a limo company, enjoying immensely the conversations he had with his regular commuters from IBM. It wasn't just with his clients in the van route with whom Bob liked to talk-- he had always had been a schmoozer and made friends wherever he went.

A funeral service will take place Wednesday at 10am at Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, NJ, followed by interment at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's memory to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org, or to the Transplant Support Organization at transplantsupport.org.

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