Goodbye to Bob Margolis, true friend of independent advisors

I had lunch with Bob in NYC a couple of years ago when he was between media jobs, looking for a new gig. He talked expansively and openly about jazz, baseball, his dog, his digs in Brooklyn and his last horrible date. And this was the first time we met! He was open, he didn’t have the usual filters you encounter in these meetings, he was refreshing. I’m so sad to hear about his death. He was too young. I’m glad, at least, that there is this forum to hear about how others encountered Bob and to share my remembrance.

Bob Margolis was a very special person. I remember my first meeting with him at a Starbucks in Manhattan. We hit it off right away. But as important as our coffee meeting was, working out details for a story we had planned for an industry publication, he cut our conversation short saying his chocolate lab was at home alone and he had to head out.

Later in our cordial business relationship, he shared about his family and health concerns. And when the media job market was turned upside down by the recession, he called to ask who might be in need of a good writer. I was pleased to see his breakaway broker stories appear on RIAbiz and other good articles by Bob in a couple other outlets.

When I saw him in NYC in September 2010, he looked healthy and vibrant. How sad to know that he’s passed away.

Thank you, RIAbiz, for creating a place that those of us who knew “Bob M” – as he liked to call himself – can say a few kind words about the gentle man he was. He will be missed.

I am saddened by the news of Bob M’s passing. He and I have had numerous opportunities over the years to work together on articles about independent advisors and other projects. He was always passionate about the topic at hand and had a real knack for shedding a humorous light on virtually any subject. While I will greatly miss our lively sports discussions, the industry will miss a real friend in Bob M.

I am very late to the game (4 years) to hearing of Bob’s passing and hadn’t seen him in 20 years – but these comments above definitely capture him: his love for jazz, sports- and an interest in the counterculture. I met him during his Northwest “phase” in Seattle. One memory that truly sticks out – is once when he was a kid/student – he called Branford Marsalis’ answer machine to get some info on a jazz report and Mr. M – called him back! He was going for the journalistic scoop even back then. Nonetheless – Mr. Margolis was a fascinating and totally original guy – sad – that he is gone from the planet. R.I.P.

I was recently sitting in my office thinking about a job I had in 1987 at Med-O-Lark Camp in Washington Maine. I met a fellow councilor named Bobby Margolis and we immediately hit it off. I thought I would try and contact him and found info of his passing. Bobby and I never spoke after camp ended, but I often think back to the carefree times of playing music with Bobby while kids gathered around. Bobby will always have a spot in my heart. Rest in peace my old friend.