Robert F Feist

I did complete a long post / I hope it didn’t get accidentally deleted.

My parents met Bob in Germany in the 1950’s. My parents were ardent opera attendees and had the opportunity to meet many people during their 7 year time in Augsburg, My father taught American Army members children music.
Bob was one of my godfathers, along with Bob Dunlap, with Norma who was my godmother.
My parents unfortunately passed away in their early 60’s.
I have many pictures from those days of their cocktail parties.
I would do enjoy to connect with someone who might be able to share what they heard about those days in Europe.

Sono Laura Avancini, la figlioccia di zio Bob. Mi ha tenuto a battesimo nel 1955 o 56 - nacqui in un inverno molto rigido e non so la data del mio battesimo. Lui, la Moffo, Lanfranchi e Bill erano amici di mio padre dal primo festival di Spoleto e venivano a casa nostra a via Tripoli a Roma, dove c'era il pianoforte e buon cibo. In seguito alla separazione e al divorzio dei miei genitori, dopo gli anni '70 ci siamo persi di vista e mi dispiace soprattutto perché sarebbe stato contento di sapere che le mie figlie sono musiciste. È strano che ho cercato di rintracciarlo per tanti anni e solo grazie a un necrologio in rete ho potuto avere sue notizie.  Ricordo i koala che mi ha regalato dalle sue tournée in Australia e di quando insegnava nella università americana di Monte Mario a Roma e ci veniva a trovare a via Mario Fani dove nel frattempo ci eravamo trasferiti. Ricordo anche quando con il suo inconfondibile accento americano che non aveva mai perso, veniva a mangiare da noi narrandoci dei suoi concerti: "poi, sono stato al San Carlo..." Mi dispiace di non avere avuto la possibilità di rivederlo e ormai sono anch'io anziana. Un abbraccio a tutti coloro che hanno sofferto per la sua perdita.

Dear Mr. Feist, the last time I saw you was when I took my family to Seattle to see you.
I miss you very much. 
I have not been able to come to America for last 5-6 years.
I will remember you as long as I can.
Rest well in peace.

I was fortunate to meet Bob in the late 70’s when I was in my early 20’s at the ymca. He liked exercising, playing tennis and racquetball and we began playing occasionally. He was very easy to befriend for me although much older he loved to travel and I enjoyed hearing his travel stories. I would see him on and off when he in town which became less and less as he had fewer and fewer reasons to come back to Cincinnnati. The last time I saw him was around his 80th birthday he had come back to town with some other friends to visit an old friend who had passed away. We had lunch and caught up on each other’s lives. I could tell age was starting to catch up with him even though he tried not to show it. Several years later I spoke to him around Christmas time. He told me he had moved into a retirement community, his memory was starting to fail him. He was always in good spirits but had a healthy dose of criticism for many things. I lost contact the last few years or so, the phone number I had for him was no longer active. I sent him a Christmas card religiously ever year and none ever came back so I figured he must still be with us. He was kind and generous to me and my wife and friends that he knew. He was a very memorable part of life, I enjoyed his friendship very much. He has been in my prayers in recent years as I knew he was in decline. I’m very glad I met him and called him my friend. May you Rest In Peace
Bob Feist