Obituary of Robert B. Goldstein

WESTPORT, CONN Robert B. Goldstein (“Bob”), age 84, a 30-year resident of Westport, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2025, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, with his beloved wife Candy and his devoted dachshund Bruno by his side. Bob was born in 1940 in Lake Charles, La., the only child of Ben Meyer Goldstein and Dorothy Fuselier Goldstein. He grew up in Austin, Texas, after his family moved there when he was 5 years old. Bob graduated from St. Edwards High School in Austin, where he was an honors student and varsity athlete. Following graduation, he spent a year in the University of Texas honors program as a Merit Scholar before completing his college education at Texas Christian University, where he graduated magna cum laude and became an ardent Horned Frogs fan. At just 8 years old, Bob decided he would someday be a bank president. While at TCU he secured his first banking job in the mailroom and quickly advanced to management. He was a natural leader and a man of many talents. In addition to his career pursuits during college, he also played drums in a rock/jazz/country band in local Fort Worth clubs. After graduating, Bob proudly served his country for six years as a member of the Texas National Guard. Bob’s zeal for and work in banking lasted his entire life. He only stepped away recently when the demands of ill-health got in the way. He spent his early years as a banker in various parts of Texas. His career then took him to the Northeast where he went on to be a CEO and chairman of a series of banks, first in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and then across the country. Bob’s in-depth knowledge of risk management, regulatory requirements and asset quality served him well as he succeeded in turning around troubled banks, growing community banks and creating value for shareholders while serving in key leadership roles in 20 financial institutions in 11 states. Bob’s passion for his work was only surpassed by his love for his family. Nothing meant more to him than spending time with his adored children, their families and his cherished Candy. Bob enjoyed his professional success, but it was the connection to his family that mattered to him most. Civic engagement was also important to Bob. He served as a director on several community boards, including the Norwalk Hospital Foundation, the Jewish Home for the Elderly, Honey Hill Care Center, Texas Christian University Association, Hermann Hospital Steering Committee and the Children’s Miracle Network. He was a member of the New York Real Estate Board of Governors and served as a faculty member of the Graduate School of Business at Southern Methodist University. To know Bob was to love Bob. He was a man of keen intellect, a strong work ethic, a generous heart and the ability to make everyone around him feel special. He will always be remembered for his personal integrity, sense of justice, sparkling smile, great sense of humor and love of animals. Bob greeted everyone he encountered, whether he knew them or not, with a warm hello, a friendly smile and a welcoming disposition. In addition to his wife Candy, Bob is survived by his four children, Sandra Tanner, Robbi Russey Goldstein (Kevin), Griffin Goldstein (Laurie) and Amy Goldstein (Jenn). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Wesley Holt, Sam Holt (Kelsey), Ben Holt, Daniel Tanner (Ellen), Keith Goldstein, Jake Goldstein, Lexy Campos Goldstein and Coty Campos Goldstein, as well as two great-grandchildren, Jane and Mabel Tanner. The family would like to express their gratitude to Regional Hospice for the exceptional care they provided. Special thanks to all of Bob’s wonderful caregivers, especially Jessica Floissac and Adriano Lima. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Spear Miller Funeral Home located at 39 South Benson Road in Fairfield. Entombment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main St. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s honor to the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service or the TCU General Endowed Scholarship Fund (or mailed to: Office of University Advancement, TCU Box 297044, Fort Worth, TX 76129).