Condolences
I just learned of Bob's passing. It was a shock to say the least. I met him back in the early 2000's when he helped me with a case and I will be forever grateful that Bob Olkowitz was the attorney I went to. He was the kindest, most compassionate man I have ever met. My favorite memory is that he never walked out of a court room to give me a message, he rushed. His hair was always falling down his forehead. It is now the most precious memory of him I have. RIP Mr. Bob Olkowitz, you are deeply missed.
What an incredible lawyer and friend. Freehold court will never be the same without you. Condolences and love to Mary and his entire family.
Mr Olkowitz is what I called him.
He was my attorney, and more than that he was a wonderful human.
I just learned of his passing my thoughts and prayers to his family and love ones. I am so, so sorry to hear about this.
The world has one less beautiful human and heavens has a beautiful angel.
Thank you Mr Olkowitz for always fighting for what was right a just.
Robert was the very first attorney I met in Workers Compensation Court after passing the Bar Exam in 1984. I was new and very inexperienced. Despite being an obvious adversary he made honest, logical and reasonable suggestions to resolve our case that day. He did so using his magnetic personality and fantastic sense of humor which immediately connected us as soon to be good friends. I confirmed the accuracy of Bobs input through subsequent communication with my employer John Campbell and knew right away that his intent was to settle and not play games. I learned more from Bob in our first encounter than I did in my ensuing 38 years of practice. The biggest mistake I ever made was rejecting his offer of employment in 2006.
Throughout the years until my retirement in December 2021 I looked forward to seeing and exchanging jokes with Bob whether or not we had a case together. I will miss him dearly and I am certain so will everyone else that knew him. I extend my sincerest condolences to Bobs family and to his wife Mary.
To Mary and the Olkowitz family: I was Bob roommate at Peddie and have been corresponding with him about a reunion this spring. I am so sorry.
Mary, I met you with Bob in Hightstown in 2019,I was attending our 50th reunion at Peddie but Bob didn't want to go, so he arranged for me to meet you two at the (Hightstown Diner?). I wish I could have told you more stories about that funny, semi-juvenile delinquent Bob Olkowitz. He made our time at the school entertaining and enjoyable. He made us all laugh our way through. He made life better for me and others and will be sadly missed!
Gene Siracusa
We would like to send our sincere condolences to Mary and the family. We did not know Bob for very long but very much enjoyed his company. He was always a fun guy, and Bob and Mary were always great to hang with. Bob will be certainly be missed. Our hearts and love go out to Mary and their family at this most difficult time. Rest Peacefully Bob.
Regards, Dorothy and Rich Swetits
I was so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. As a respondent’s attorney, I always had great respect for Bob’s personal investment in representing his clients. They were not business clients, but I think to him, individuals who needed his help and he was going to do whatever he could to make sure they got what they were entitled to. Despite being a fierce advocate for his clients, I always thought he comported himself as a true professional, and was a credit to the Workers Compensation Bar, and I say that as someone who was both a petitioner’s and a respondent’s attorney at different times in my career. Definitely someone who will be missed.
My good and trusting friend " Smiling Bob" was a true workers comp atty legend.! Never was there a moment in his company when he was not upbeat , helpful, generous with his time and legally wise ....In the "old days " of going to Court 4 days a week and hanging in the Court Reporter office in Freehold with Bob ,( Mary and gang) sharing laughter, where next to have a cocktail, war stories many that can't be shared here because of its X-rated narrative, was a true joy. The daily trips to Court were more than a working experience, thanks to Bob . He was the lead Maestro ( no disrespect to Ray Shebell or the late Marty Ruidnick) . Both wife Lyle , (who had the privilege of knowing Bob) and myself will miss him . His legacy will survive . Condolences to Mary and rest of family.. With respect Ken and Lyle Chamlin
Bobby was one of the first attorney's I met when I started practicing. The first thing I remember when I met him was his incredible sense of humor. He was also an extremely kind soul who would always be willing to help out with anything, at any time. He will truly be missed. My condolences and prayers go out to Mary and Bob's family during this very difficult time.
My wife and I are still very numb after hearing about Bob's passing..He was such a fun, loving guy to socialize with. We only have known Bob for a few years but in that short time, we will have many great memories of him..
Our heart ❤️ goes out to Mary and all of Bob's family..
Rest in peace Bob...
Love,
Rich and Donna
Bobby O : a knowledgeable attorney, tremendous advocate and adversary and an exceptional friend and colleague.
He treated all with kindness and always made you laugh. His quick wit never stopped; his mind was always turning thinking up another fun event. His obituary is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man loved by all.
My deepest sympathy to the Olkowitz family, Dana Teague
Dear Mary and the Olkowitz family, I am so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. He was a wonderful fun loving person. I met Bob on my first day in Freehold Workers' Comp Court over 36 years ago. If you had a question he was always generous with an answer. He wanted all of us in the Petitioner's bar to succeed with our cases. Bob had the best stories to tell of his years in Workers' Compensation Court and the various personalities he had encountered. He also was the glue that made Freehold a great place to work with all of its crazy moving parts. Bob made us smile everyday! I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, dad and family member. We will always remember him. Geri Allegra
Bob and Mary are my favorite "clients who turned into friends"... Mary, my heart hurts for you; and I cannot imagine how much Bob will be missed by his loving family. Wishing you all peace and strength, until you meet again.
After Bob somewhat retired, I had many, many lunches with him usually on a Thursday or Friday. Like “Tuesdays with Morrie,” I felt like this was, “Thursdays with Bobby” and we talked about everything and I learned a lot.
First on the agenda, was complaining about the respondents, the attorneys and the Courts but that was only 20% of the conversation and never “over the hump.” Then the other 80% would be about “dive bars,” which he and Mary loved, trips they had taken, old time Judges and lawyers who we both remembered and friends on both sides of the isle gone by.
I can see him now in heaven negotiating with Ralph Baroska, Esq. for only 5% more to get it done.
Great Guy and Great Lawyer! Cory Daniel
Bob, you were the Best! Decades of working with you and Carol Zito, always the Best results, always a smile, always good for a funny story. The Best!
I hope that your children and family know how much you were loved and respected by so many clients and lawyers. The Best!
I will always miss you and I will always remember our conversations over the years. May God Bless you my man.
Ken Potis
To the Family of Bob Olkowitz,
Linda & I have only known Bob for about 18 months, but in that short time we have come to enjoy his company at numerous
social gatherings, and developed a fondness for both him and Mary. He will be sorely missed in our circle of friends. He became
a great friend, so the loss will be felt for quite awhile.
Our deepest sympathy to Mary and family.
Tom & Linda Romeo
Bob was truly one of the good guys. He was an accomplished attorney, forceful advocate for his clients, a formidable adversary, a wonderful and loyal friend with an incredible sense of humor. The Division of Workers’ Compensation will not be the same without him. He will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Mary and his whole family. May he rest in peace.
Bob's passing is a loss that is difficult to accept. But my memories of Bob will always make me happy. I loved the Friday afternoon texts "Hey we are going to happy hour at (fill in the blank)." Bob's life was a Happy Hour. I will always be grateful for his friendship and my memories with him and Mary. He loved his family with all his heart...I know we all lost something when he passed, but we gained so, so much by knowing him.
Jim Meslar
Bob - you had the best smile. Sometimes more of a smirk, actually! Don't think I remember you ever frowning. Always fun to be around ... how many lawyers can you say that about?? You will be missed by many. My condolences to Mary and all of Bob's family.
It's so hard to begin this but you have been my lawyer, even a friend through my husband Tony who you played softball with you years ago. It has been so many years now that I'm sure I was a pain in the butt as I now am to Carol. Reading your obituary I am so glad that you got to enjoy life in your retirement with your family. My deepest, deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Olkowitz 'Bob' and know that he was such a good person, lawyer and friend. May you R.I.P and know that I always missed seeing you as my lawyer.
With Deepest Sympathies,
Margaret Faas
He always greeted me with “Jody, Jody, Jody”, a smile, and a joke. Unapologetically late to court all the time. LOL. He would park his car, unload his bags, and line them up along the wall in the hallway. I loved talking to him. He was always a pleasure. His mantra: Section 20s are not good for anyone or the economy. I will miss him. My heart goes out to Mary and his family.
Bob was one of the foundations of Workers’ Comp. I can’t remember when he wasn’t in court, telling jokes and stories. He would light up the room just by walking into it. Even when he was deeply involved in a discussion of a case, he never lost his inherent light nature. Mary, you and your family have my deepest sympathy. Even in this darkest of times, I hope Bob’s spirit and love of life will be a source of comfort and support for you
My heart is heavy with sadness. I have lost my best friend. I will miss his smile, his laughter, his jokes, his hugs, his kindness. He was a great man and was always there for me and making me laugh with his corny jokes. I used to love pissing him off when I would start playing Christmas music in November and singing loudly when he would return from Court. I also caught him a couple of times singing too. :)
I will be forever grateful for having him in my life and being a part of his and Mary's.
I know I will see you again and you will be standing there with your arms wide open waiting to give me a hug.
Love Carol (C2)
I am the proud owner of a signed copy of his WC treatise, I shall cherish it - along with all his guidance and support over the years. Bob made every trip to court an enjoyable experience. He will be sorely missed.
I remember when Bob's treatise on WC was in every chambers in Freehold and Toms River. Every room lightened up when Bob entered. He made everyone feel like they were part of his party. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
So sorry to hear...even harder to believe...as you could always count on Bob being there. We shared space...going back to '92...when he was still at Giordano's office. Throughout all the changes, challenges that life throws at you...good and bad...Bob kept his sense of humor and positivity...which often helped the rest of us through hard times. He'd always be Bob, even when he was going through his roughest times. Spring Meadow Inn, Borgata, Bench/Bar venues...just won't be the same. Mary, you have my condolences.
Truly saddened for his sons Bobby jr and Joey and his brand new grandsons. May you find comfort in your memories with your dad.
Cousin Ann
You all know how much I loved my job, particularly when everyone came to court. Bob was one of the reasons why. He always made me laugh, even when he had a tough case. And when he was spouting bullshit, he was doing it intentionally. And he would always laugh when you called him on it! A great guy, a fine lawyer and really fun to be around. God bless you, Bobby O, Rest In peace.
My deepest condolences to Mary and to Bob's family on his passing. The world will be a different place without him in it. He was a brilliant attorney, a good man and a great guy. He was a product of the Ivy League but never even "humble-bragged" about it. He was of Polish ancestry but loved to get together and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Always happy, never complaining and always had good advice which I will miss. In fact, I texted him for advice on a case a week before he passed and he replied "All good here" when I inquired how he and Mary were doing. I was face-timing with my son who is now practicing law in San Diego and told him of Bob's passing. He had come with me to one of Bob and Mary's summer parties a few years ago. He was saddened by the news and said by the way, this table is from his office. I recalled that Bob had given my son, then a starving law student, some furniture when he closed his Red Bank office so that my son could furnish his apartment. Well, that table and a little piece of Bob's memory now reside in California. Just an example of his generosity. We should all honor Bobby O by being a little kinder, a little more generous and by never forgetting to have some fun in life.
Over the years, I had the opportunity to defend close to 100 cases in which Bob represented the claimant. He was a fierce advocate on behalf of his clients yet he always did so with respect & his usual good humor. Fun guy. Who could forget his holiday parties! Always the light of the Freehold Ct. Will miss him. RIP my friend!
Bobby O. An extraordinary attorney, a demon of an adversary but an angel as a friend. Always there to help you out, with a killer wit and wicked sense of humor. The Division of WC, and all of us, are lessened by his passing.
My condolences to Mary and all Bob's family and friends. In over 30 years of handling cases with Bobby O, he was always happy, a gentleman and just a great person. He will be missed.
Bobby O- I can hear your laughter in my head. You always had a smile on your face and you will remain an absolute legend. Whether it was in Court, at events or the Cabin, you brought joy to everyone around you. I don’t know if I will ever meet anyone as genuine and pure hearted as you! Rest in Power my friend.
Bob was a smiling ray of sunshine. Always kind, always full of fun and laughs. Thanks Bobby for being you. I had a lot of fun hanging out with you and Mary. You and your big heart will be missed!
Bob always had a smile on his face. He was a fun loving, charismatic person that made going to Court everyday something to really look forward to. He will be missed tremendously as a friend and as an amazing Attorney. Rest in peace Bobby O! Cheers.
My heart is full of so many amazing memories of Bob, yet, it’s broken that I can’t have more. He’d always have a smile on his face and made sure everyone else around him did as well. I couldn’t even get upset with him when he’d strut into court 30 minutes later than me, with his court list rolled up in his back pocket. Professionally, he was a pain in the ass, which is a huge compliment coming from a defense attorney. It means he was an amazing attorney who truly cared about his clients, which made my job harder. Socially, he was a friend you wanted on your side. He would take the shirt off his back if needed. He would give and give and expect nothing in return. He only wanted to live his life, with his beautiful Mary, to the absolute fullest and he did just that.
To Bob, a true unicorn. I will miss you every day. I will especially miss you on Groundhog’s day knowing I won’t get your text wishing me a good GH Day. Wherever you are, I hope it’s filled with plenty “Great Fridays.”
Until we meet again at a conference on the other side.
Nostrovia!
-Marni