To Bob, Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob you always brought a smile to our faces and were as such a warm, wonderful and thoughtful man. Lee, Please know we are here if you ever need anything, groceries; shopping, a friend for cup of tea or anything around the house. It was wonderful to meet Bob’s close friends and family from Texas. Please know you are in our thoughts daily. Bob your friendly SMILE and kindness will be greatly missed ! The Baylor Family Marian, Richard, Trevor, Kerianne & Andrew Baylor

TO: Bob Westerman As long as I have been alive, nearly 50 years, Bob Westerman was a part of my life. He was my father’s best friend and was always there. From my first birthday, he was simply there. I have never known life without him and now that he is gone, without any chance to say good bye, I am deeply aware of the role that he lead in my life. My father and Bob seemed to be like teenagers when they were together. I saw what a gift a friend was in a man’s life. Smoking a pipe, having a beer, talking together and laughing often were things that Bob did best with the Langeland’s. Authentic, sincere and loving were things that Bob Westerman showed me and my family. He had a gift to allow us to feel relaxed, loved and better for spending time with him. He would tell me stories of me as a toddler that I could not remember but not soon after, I remembered nearly everything. Going to Bob and Lee’s home in Staten Island seemed so far away from our Oakwood home, in the country, private and quiet. The winding water that cut through the white snow of winter felt like we were a million miles from the big city. Shooting bow and arrows there or learning how to throw knives, we lived a life that I no longer hear about. Kids throwing knives! Today a parent would be looked at as nuts. Bob, my father and brother, threw knives, shoot bows and guns. We did it safely, we had fun and my brother and I are better men because we did these things. These things were better because Bob Westerman was there teaching us and guiding us. I remember doing chin ups in Bob and Lee’s hallway while Lady barked at us. Bob’s love of martial arts , weaponry, the military and especially his and Lee’s love of dogs made me want to do my best. His love of dogs was something that I enjoyed later in my life. Bob most importantly showed me by his actions, the true value of how to be a good friend, neighbor and citizen. I remember stories of the St Lawrence Seaway that my father and Bob worked on. The summer camp at Lake Placid where we visited in 1976. Marine stories were a regular fare for my brother and I and although we had not served we were proud of my father and Bob for serving. There were always two Michelob beers in our fridge and everyone knew, those were Bob’s beers! Funny, each time I saw those beers, I thought of Bob. Bob was a different from my father is some ways. He had more patience was a little more measured than my father and that made me see a different take on things. Bob had an attention to detail, you better maintain your car correctly and drive in the ten-two position at all times. If we all took care of our things as he did then we would have our cars as long as we wished and not when we had to! I wanted to be my best to show Bob that I could be a little like him. My family is struck by this loss in a way like no other. We are profoundly sad that our time with him is over. We rejoice in the countless great memories that we have of him and that will life forever. Great friends are always there for you as was Bob for us. A great friend never has to tell you that they your best friend. A great friend is simply a part of your life, a constant and something appreciated most when they are gone. Bob, we love you and we miss you. We shall never forget all of the good deeds that you had done in your life. The Langeland family tree had you and Lee grafted to our own and we are better humans for knowing you. God bless you and keep you. We shall try and make ourselves a little more like the great friend and family that you were to us. We shall look after Lee always. We will always try as you had shown us, to the good work, to be kind and be the best friends that we can be.

TO: Bob Westerman As long as I have been alive, nearly 50 years, Bob Westerman was a part of my life. He was my father’s best friend and was always there. From my first birthday, he was simply there. I have never known life without him and now that he is gone, without any chance to say good bye, I am deeply aware of the role that he lead in my life. My father and Bob seemed to be like teenagers when they were together. I saw what a gift a friend was in a man’s life. Smoking a pipe, having a beer, talking together and laughing often were things that Bob did best with the Langeland’s. Authentic, sincere and loving were things that Bob Westerman showed me and my family. He had a gift to allow us to feel relaxed, loved and better for spending time with him. He would tell me stories of me as a toddler that I could not remember but not soon after, I remembered nearly everything. Going to Bob and Lee’s home in Staten Island seemed so far away from our Oakwood home, in the country, private and quiet. The winding water that cut through the white snow of winter felt like we were a million miles from the big city. Shooting bow and arrows there or learning how to throw knives, we lived a life that I no longer hear about. Kids throwing knives! Today a parent would be looked at as nuts. Bob, my father and brother, threw knives, shoot bows and guns. We did it safely, we had fun and my brother and I are better men because we did these things. These things were better because Bob Westerman was there teaching us and guiding us. I remember doing chin ups in Bob and Lee’s hallway while Lady barked at us. Bob’s love of martial arts , weaponry, the military and especially his and Lee’s love of dogs made me want to do my best. His love of dogs was something that I enjoyed later in my life. Bob most importantly showed me by his actions, the true value of how to be a good friend, neighbor and citizen. I remember stories of the St Lawrence Seaway that my father and Bob worked on. The summer camp at Lake Placid where we visited in 1976. Marine stories were a regular fare for my brother and I and although we had not served we were proud of my father and Bob for serving. There were always two Michelob beers in our fridge and everyone knew, those were Bob’s beers! Funny, each time I saw those beers, I thought of Bob. Bob was a different from my father is some ways. He had more patience was a little more measured than my father and that made me see a different take on things. Bob had an attention to detail, you better maintain your car correctly and drive in the ten-two position at all times. If we all took care of our things as he did then we would have our cars as long as we wished and not when we had to! I wanted to be my best to show Bob that I could be a little like him. My family is struck by this loss in a way like no other. We are profoundly sad that our time with him is over. We rejoice in the countless great memories that we have of him and that will life forever. Great friends are always there for you as was Bobfor us. A great friend never has to tell you that they your best friend. A great friend is simply a part of your life, a constant and something appreciated most when they are gone. Bob, we love you and we miss you. We shall never forget all of the good deeds that you had done in your life. The Langeland family tree had you and Lee grafted to our own and we are better humans for knowing you. God bless you and keep you. We shall try and make ourselves a little more like the great friend and family that you were to us. We shall look after Lee always. We will always try as you had shown us, to the good work, to be kind and be the best friends that we can be.

If I had to choose three words to describe Bob Westerman, they would be DECENCY, INTEGRITY, and GENUINITY. Bob represented what it meant to be a good and upright man. He had a nurturing, care giving nature and befriended many people and animals alike for the mere sake of being supportive. Bob truly cared, and he did what he did because it was the right thing to do, never seeking praise, expecting recognition, or accepting compensation. He was rather conservative, never stood in the spotlight, nor was he a flashy or trendy man. In fact it was common practice for him to keep and maintain his cars far longer than most people would, sometimes ten years or more.

I met Bob when I was nine years old, and we became instant friends. He took me under his wing and treated me as his son, and I regarded him as a father figure. Bob shared with me some of the most treasured elements of his life, and they became some of the greatest experiences of mine - things like camping at the remnants of the Platnik site on Lake Placid, building a knock-hockey table from instructions I found in a magazine, and learning how to cast and finish a ring for my mom from a stack of 1943 silver Mercury dimes. Bob taught me to drive, and at 12 years old I found myself behind the wheel of his Verdi Green 1965 Buick Special, doing 70 MPH on the New York State Thruway. He showed me how to use a router to cut a dado, how to use and care for hand tools, and how to change a bicycle sprocket. Together we visited his parents in Crestwood Village (more driving time, albeit at 15 MPH), snorkeled the beaches of Cape Cod, and explored the remaining exhibits of the Montreal Expo.

Bob was a true leader by example - he made the hard things look easy because he loved whatever he did. He taught me the proper way to fire his Marine Corps M1 rifle, stressing the importance of breath control, bracing against recoil, and squeezing the trigger rather than pulling it. We often took road trips and along the way he took me aboard the USS Constitution in Boston and the USS Massachusetts in Fall River, and we visited Forts Saratoga and Ticonderoga. He taught me it was honorable to serve one's country, and I in turn enlisted and served eight years in the USAF (and qualified as marksman every year therein).

Bob's love for animals was not a secret. Bob and Lee's first dog, Lady, was my dog, too, and she grew up to be far more than just a pet - her playful, intelligent, and affectionate demeanor taught us the best rewards of loving and caring for an animal. Once while driving home from Tom's River, Bob and I hit a wild rabbit. Bob tenderly helped me pick the injured animal up off the road and took it home to care for, even though he knew its wounds were fatal. From Lady to Bear to Katie to Sarah, and to all the strays he cared for, Bob's devotion to animals was a testament to his gentle toughness.

It's by no means a stretch to say that all the good things I know in life, I know because Bob taught them to me, yet he was never, ever, a negative influence. I rarely remembered his birthday, and I never verbally told him I loved him, but I'm certain he knew. I don't know who I would be today if Bob was not in my life, but I certainly would have been less than I have become.

Thank you, Lee, for unselfishly sharing Bob's time with me, and THANK YOU, Bob, for being the best role model a boy could ever hope for.

Ron

Bob..our friend and neighbor for over 20 years..was considered a member of our family. Bob & Lee joined us for family events and holiday dinners as we toasted our affection for each other. Fond rememberances: A pipe... A smile and "how are you".."are you feeling better"... "I will be right over to help"..."I'll do that for you"... The affection for our daughter Laura as she matured from a young girl to an accomplished engineer"..." Our 5 yr old grandson Joseph visiting Bob to "talk about tractors and engines" and the memorable trip to Mercer County Airport to tour WW II bombers.."the large yellow front end loader for Joe's 2nd birthday".. Christmas Eve "roast beef dinners with Bob's favorite mashed potatoes and exchanging gifts... Caring for our dog "Buddy" - rubbing his chubby belly and playing "red ball"... Laughing at Mike's father from Texas who looked at Bob's dog Katie and said "does anyone in New Jersey have a real dog?....(Bob quoted this many times) Helping us clear snow from our driveway -fixing snowblowers and lawnmowers.... Watching late night Marine Corps Documentaries & Movies and with freshly home made popcorn... Transplanting Bob's mother's tree from Staten Island to Millstone - many hours of tender care and it has grown over 15 ft... Taking Mike on a trip during Fleet Week and the 5 PM unplanned excursion through the streets of Bob's old Brooklyn neighborhood... We love you Bob and will miss you so very much, Mike and Roberta

My memories go back 17 years to cousin Cheryl's house and the fun time we had with my twins and Brooke. Then you sent me the video years later, so at least I will always have you on video to remember you always. My heart is grieving for your loss.

Aunt Lee and Uncle Bob, Uncle Bob was the best uncle,friend,and Godfather one could ask for. Although it is of little consolation at this sad time, it should be of some satisfaction to know that in his passing you can celebrate the end of a very long and admirable life. The measure of a life well-lived is not made through the assets or possessions one has accumulated, but rather through the lives they have touched and the sorrow they leave behind. Uncle Bob touched the lives of each person he met with his radiant charm and kindness, and it is with most certainty you can say that Uncle Bob indeed lived life to the fullest. Uncle Bob truly meets the classic definition of a gentleman and a "good guy." We will miss you Uncle Bob.

To Lee, my Uncle Norman, and all the family, friends of Bob! I am truly sorry for your loss, Bob was a great man and will be always remembered him in my heart and soul! I met and knew Bob through my Uncle when I was a little boy, in Brooklyn, he truly was such a true great man! Now I am 54 years old, I will miss you Bob!!! Sincerely, Brian

We will always cherish the memory of one who meant so much to so many. In his quiet, unassuming way, Bobby comforted, encouraged and touched the lives of friends and strangers alike. Bob loved his Lee, the Marine Corps, his family and friends and all animals. One of the most caring individuals we know has left us. We are immensely saddened. Fred, Carol (CJ) and Bradley Westerman

Dear Lee, Upon hearing of your loss I was deeply saddened to hear about Bob. He was a great colleague and dear friend. He will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences from not only myself but also from my sister and family who recalled his warm smile and sincerity. Giuseppe Borzellieri

DEAR ROSALIE (LEE) SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR HUSBAND'S DECEASE, BUT I PRAY FOR GOD'S COMFORTING EMBRACE TO BE YOUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH. SO GLAD THAT MADGE IS ABLE TO BE THERE WITH YOU AND FAMILY. SHE IS A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE. GOD BLESS YOU, LOVE JO

Bob and Lee have been friends of our family for as long as I can remember. There are no words to describe their incredible, unselfish giving of their time, home and love.

When I was 12 or 13 you took your time to be friend. We built an entire, beautiful chess table together, starting out with just a plastic board that you had gotten from somewhere. It took weeks but we did it and it came out great. From doing something like that to the little things like remembering how much I liked to drink a Yoo-Hoo when we had hot dogs on the grill, to your extreme generosity of taking the time to drive us up to the Cape so many times.

You are one of the best people in my life and it is my honor to tell people that I know you and that you're my friend.

I hope you know how much we love you and will miss you.

Teddy

Our hearts go out to you Lee. Bob was a wonderful man with a big heart as well as a faithful and loyal cousin and we knew we could always count on him if we needed anything. We are thinking of you with heavy sorrowful hearts at this very difficult time. Love, Beth, Dominick, Kimberly and Samantha

John Witt made a donation to Cat-tastrophe Rescue