Obituary of Robert S. Stokes

Robert Stephen “Bob” Stokes was born May 29, 1939, grew up in Manasquan, NJ, and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1961 with a B.A. in Journalism. After graduating, Bob was drafted into the US Army and served in Army Intelligence in West Germany from 1961-1964. Upon discharge, he worked as a freelance journalist, and in 1966, was hired by The Associated Press, working for the Boston and Providence bureaus. Later that year Bob volunteered as a freelancer to cover the Vietnam War and was hired by Newsweek Magazine. He covered the war from 1967-1969 and was wounded while reporting on the Medical Helicopter evacuation of wounded marines west of Danang. He was transferred to Newsweek’s Chicago Bureau and worked there until hired by Life Magazine in 1970. In 1972, he went to work for The Asbury Park Press for seven years, winning several state awards for reporting and writing a weekly column called “Slice of Life.” In 1976, Bob served as an associate editor for US News and World Report in Washington DC, and later worked as a speechwriter and staff researcher for Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, (R-KS). During the 1990’s, he was an adjunct Professor of Journalism at American University, Brooklyn College, University of CT, Southern CT University, School of Visual Arts, Norwalk Community College, and California State University, Los Angeles. His last job before retirement was working for a Fairfield County nonprofit finding jobs for ex-offenders, describing it as, “one of the most rewarding jobs I ever had.” Throughout his life, Bob published three books of fiction, a book of poetry, and a stage drama performed Off-Broadway in New York City. He met and married Catherine Rogers in 2009 at Christ Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Bob is survived by his seven children - Naomi, Justine, Merton, Ariana, Cyrena, Rob and Tessa, and nine grandchildren - Andrew, Liam, Nate, Fiona, Eila, Nieve, Ananda, Crescent, and Sebastian. Bob passed away peacefully on January 15, 2023. Dad/Bob, may you rest in peace. We love you up to the sky. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Services for Bob will be held on Saturday March 11, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport, CT.