Medford, MA-
Robert Winograd, 40 of Boston died February 26, 2020.
Rob spent much of his childhood near Phoenicia, NY, where he grew to love exploring the outdoors: hiking, skiing, fishing and camping. He began competitive swimming at age 6, and, after starting high school at Onteora in Boiceville, he moved to The Peddie School in New Jersey, so as to be able to train with one of the most competitive swim teams in the country.
While an undergraduate at Amherst College, Rob took full advantage of the educational and cultural opportunities in Massachusett’s Pioneer Valley—studying diverse topics and spending a semester student-teaching at a high school in Holyoke. He continued swimming throughout college, and was proud to still own the Pratt Pool record for the 1650m Freestyle—currently the longest-standing swimming record at Amherst.
In adulthood, Rob passed on his love of both the pool and the outdoors to his daughter, Nara, with whom he went on adventures nearly every weekend: skiing in the winter, hikes in the Catskills and bike rides in the spring, summer and fall. Their adventuring included international travel, to South America, Asia, and the country of his forefathers, Poland.
Rob relished the challenge of working a number of diverse jobs and the new experiences each job provided. He worked as a high school swimming coach and as a taxi driver—he was proud to drive a taxi as this was how his father first made a living after immigrating to New York. He more recently worked as a carpenter and in construction, and enjoyed the careful, methodical process associated with woodworking and building houses. Rob also graduated with advanced masters degree in Business Management at the Harvard University .
Having grown up in his parents’ retreat and spa near Phoenicia, Rob developed a deep appreciation of good food and healthy living, and he was an excellent chef who loved to prepare special meals for his family and friends.
Rob knew how to follow his own path, stay in the moment, and appreciate life’s intricacies.
A classmate from Amherst summed up Rob the best when he recalled that “Moments spent with Rob were always moments to remember. He had a fearless way of asking the questions and speaking the truths that others kept inside for the sake of ease. He challenged you but always with a loving heart and plenty of humor.“
Rob leaves behind his parents and stepparents, a sister, and three children: Nara, Malu & Jose.
A graveside service will be held at the St. Francis de Sales Cemetery Rt. 28 Shandaken. You may share a special memory or condolence on Rob's Tribute Wall at gormleyfuneralhome.com
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