I was so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I had the pleasure of talking to Bob during our walks on the Vestal Rail Trail. He always was cheerful and was especially happy when the Cubs and Redsox were doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I put this up on my Facebook page a while back. It seems like it would fit here as well:

It saddens me to say this but I found out the other day that our old friend, my best man, Bob Tanner passed away earlier this week. From our time at Binghamton to our first years in Boston, Bob was our closest friend. We'd grown apart in later years but the connection was always there. Always a solitary kind of guy, he retired to live in Vestal (of all places) a few years back and seemed to be quite happy there. I never did get to talk to him about the latest Super Bowl victory.

Instead of pouring out a 40 for him, maybe look up an old friend you haven't talked to for a while. He'd appreciate the call.

To the Family of Robert Tanner,

I worked with Robert in Boston from 1988 - 1991. This was my first "real" job with my first "real" boss. I owe most of my success in my career to Robert. He went out of his way to make sure that he got the best out of me. I went from knowing nothing to knowing everything he knew. He never held anything from me, and always protected me. I could not have asked for a better boss. But it went further than that. I too was part of the Happy Hour crew and as much as I enjoyed learning from him in the office, I had much more fun hanging with him outside the office. Whether it was having a beer, or on bike ride, we always had a laugh. Thank you for sharing Robert with us. His wisdom, smile and laugh will be forever missed.

Kate Kudrewicz

2132 Culpeper Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22191

The shock of this news makes finding and writing comforting words a difficult task.

I met and worked with Robert in Boston (1985 -1989). We became friends. Through our beer drinking Friday "Happy Hours" we discussed music, movies, work, differences between the sexes and ways to solve world problems. Before I retired this past October, I contacted him to confirm his email address. I promised that once my care giving duties were under control, I would make time to catch up. Life got in the way and I am sorry for that missed opportunity. I hope that his family knows that he touched many lives and he will be missed by many. Certainly me. I wish you all peace.

Sincerely,

Patricia Murray

46 Jester Lane

Levittown, NY 11756

Our thoughts are with the Tanner family at this time of sorrow.

Heath & Jamee Mack

Bob will be missed. He was the best at showing off his town. He so love BOSTON and we were hoping to go back there sometime again. Now it will have to be as a memorial trip.

I always thought how cool it was to have so many Big and older cousins, Of course being the first girl it was pretty special from my end. I will miss you Bob.

It’s terrible to hear about your loss and we express our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May the memories of him stay with you. Dana and Taina