Robert "Bob" Furman

Bob was compassionate, humble, gentle and gentlemanly; a lover of music, nature and all living things; and a deeply committed father and family man. He smiled, often, with blue eyes twinkling. Bob enjoyed simple pleasures, like sailing, puttering in his garden and eating ice cream. He was a voracious reader, often keeping two or three books going at a time together with a few back issues of the New Yorker and Smithsonian magazines. He also logged countless hours with friends and family chasing a little white ball down fairways and greens – or more often, in deep rough, woods, sand traps and water hazards.

Bob loved music, especially classical music. His “musical talent” was recognized early on: they had him play the triangle in his school orchestra. But as he grew older, Bob put all of his passion for music into his beloved cello. Regrettably, Bob never became a great musician -- or even a good one. But to his great credit, it never stopped him from trying.

Bob lived with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 20 years, but he was mostly able to keep it from interfering with his love of life. Even in his final months as his limbs stiffened and his mind faltered, his kind, loving way showed through.

Bob was the eldest son of Rose and Max Furman and grew up in Windsor, CT. He attended The Loomis Chaffee School (high school), Tufts University (undergrad), Wesleyan University (masters) and New York University (medical school). He was a cardiologist by training but worked primarily in the head trauma unit of the New England Rehabilitation Center in Woburn, MA. He lived for many years in Lexington, Somerville, Arlington, Winchester and Dennis, MA before finally moving to Fernandina Beach, FL, where he enjoyed the company of many friends, old and new.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Carole Bohn; his children, Deborah and Kerry Gilpin, Dan and Beth Furman, David and Christine Furman, and Deana Furman; his grandchildren Eli, Isabel, Gabriella, Ethan, Sophie, Liam, Miles and Wynne; his sister Bonnie and his brother John; his first wife, Linda Fossier; and many, many others who knew and adored him.

A memorial service is being planned for the spring of 2026. Please contact his family for details if you would like to attend.

Bob’s family would be honored by any donations made in Bob’s memory to not-for-profit organizations engaged in the arts, medical science, education or animal welfare