Obituary of Robert Joseph Deischer

Robert Joseph “Bob” Deischer, age 75, passed away peacefully in his home ¬¬in Weehawken, NJ, on August 3, 2020. A dedicated and inspiring teacher, he spent much of his life in the classroom, sharing his love of literature and film with college students in the New York-New Jersey area. Born in Teaneck, NJ, on June 30, 1945, to Alfred Joseph Deischer and Anne Deischer (born Angelina Anna Gentile), Bob grew up in Cliffside Park, and graduated from Cliffside Park High School in 1963. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College in New Brunswick, he went on to study theater and film at Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. Early in his career, Bob ran a performance arts center in New York City, and worked at the Modern Language Association of America, an experience that set him on a life-long path in academia. He discovered a love of teaching at his first teaching position tutoring students in English at Bronx Community College. Bob especially enjoyed teaching in a diverse environment. His politics were and always remained progressive. And he found that he could serve his social and political ideals, as well as his academic interests, by teaching in an institution with a diverse, underserved student body. Bob taught as an adjunct professor at New York University, and later for many years at Bloomfield College, where he also served on staff as an academic counselor. His love of English literature and film history influenced and excited generations of students. Bob’s success as a teacher came in part from his love and knowledge of the subject matter, and in equal measure from the fact that he never met a person he wasn’t genuinely interested in getting to know. Many students kept in touch with him over the years. Outside the classroom he was the same way: anyone who met him became a friend in short order. He remained in touch with friends from kindergarten through his university years, with work colleagues, and with anyone else he came into contact with; no matter the context. Anyone who was a friend of Bob became a friend of Bob’s other friends, and he leaves many who will dearly miss him. He loved the beach and spending time, when he could do so, at the Deischer family vacation home in Surf City, NJ. He loved to travel with friends as well, in this country and abroad. In addition to his love of literature, film, and theater, Bob was an avid music enthusiast. All who knew him marveled at his encyclopedic knowledge of early rock’n’roll, and his ability to recognize almost any rock or rhythm and blues record by a few notes of the first bar. Bob was a devoted uncle to his niece Christine Pulsipher Baker and nephew Brent Pulsipher II. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Anne Deischer, and his sister Carol Pulsipher of Baltimore, MD. He is survived by his niece Christine (Ken) Baker of Springville, UT, and his nephew Brent (Jessie) Pulsipher II of Baltimore, MD, as well as three great-nieces; Rachel (Lorin) Baker-Beus, Hannah Baker, and Angelina Pulsipher; and three great-nephews, Michael (Anastasia) Baker, Jacob Baker, and Brent Pulsipher III. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a time in the future when it is safe for his family and many friends to gather. Please keep in touch with family and friends for more information. Those who wish to honor his memory may make donations to an organization that Bob strongly believed in, The Fortune Society (www.fortunesociety.org)