Robert "Bob" Nathanson, 84, of Medford, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on December 10, 1940 to Arthur and Henrietta Nathanson, Bob was raised in Merrick, NY alongside his younger brother, Jace. He graduated from Wellington C. Mepham High School and went on to attend Dartmouth College. Though he was a math whiz (a national merit scholar who earned a perfect score on the SAT math section!), Bob chose to major in philosophy--he loved debating ideas just as much as working with numbers. He also had a deep love of music and became a DJ for Dartmouth's radio station.

After college, Bob found his true calling: teaching. After earning his certificate at Hofstra University, he spent two decades at Kings Park High School where he taught math, launched a computer curriculum, ran Student Council, and coached tennis. Even in retirement, Bob never stopped teaching. Passionate about bridge, he created a free online course, enrolling over 100 students.

Bob loved figuring out how things worked—once taking apart and reassembling a car radio, just for the fun of it. He became everyone's go-to tech guy which led to a second career as a computer consultant.

He spent 36 wonderful years with his wife and best friend, Susan. Together, they built a life full of laughter, tennis matches, bridge games, and meaningful time with the people they loved. Whether they were living in Plainview, relaxing in Hilton Head, or enjoying their home in Medford, they made the most of every chapter.

Bob had a sharp wit, playful heart, and totally unique way of looking at the world—he saw patterns, possibilities and beauty in life's little quirks. He celebrated CB Day, half- birthdays, Pi Day and palindromes with equal enthusiasm. A two-month road trip across the US with his young children was one of his many unconventional adventures.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed his convertibles, captaining his boat, model trains, photography—and most of all, his grandkids. As "Grandpa Bob," "Papa Bob," or "PopPop," he adored them all. From visits to Disney, aquariums, farms, the hobby store, or Build-A-Bear—Bob made every outing special, usually with his camera in hand to capture it all.

He'll be remembered for his booming laugh, brilliant mind, and the quiet way he made everyone around him feel loved. He truly left the world a little better, funnier and more thoughtful than he found it.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; brother, Jace (Saundra); his former spouse, Elaine, with whom he shared two children, Shari (Dan) and David (Sheila); his step-children, Michael (Savannah) and Staci (Chris); his eight grandchildren—Joseph (Olivia), Emily, Ryan (Laura), Hannah, Ellie, Jolie, Fynn, Greyson; and his great-grandson, George.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to UNICEF.