A Tribute To Bob DeFilippis

it is well known that PCS under the leadership and guidance of Mr solo from everybody Weinberger has filled a niche within the community that is so vital ocean counties from the two largest counties within the state of New Jersey and Lakewood is the fastest growing municipality within Ocean County that being said finding parnassa and assisting those in the job search is a vital need thank you it's a modified pool care at Harvard County approach bought cash flow thank you tax code is charitable contributions charitable contributions are a lot of fun um would all like to get charity thank you it began in a meeting in New York City in kedalia weinberger's office at the agorth of Israel of America and at that meeting which which there was gedalia Daniel soloff myself Professor Schiff from The fdu Faculty he was a member of the Orthodox community and an associate Dean named the gotaway from fdu they talked about the possibility of starting a program in Lakewood for the purpose of creating opportunities for some of these young men who were coming out of the Yeshiva our introduction came about through Jonathan Schiff who acted as a Matchmaker introducing myself Bob and Dick Hardaway together we met and formed a partnership with one mission in mind to make the PCS fdu accounting program the best program possible we started the program and once we got going it was really Daniel and myself who kind of put everything together denil and I are two very different personalities but when it comes to this program we are very much of one mind but was very instrumental in putting together the program going through the logistics the hiring and obtaining fairly Dickinson's commitment to the program and continuing commitment this has been a Berkeley an effort if that's the correct word on Bob's part and Bob you should definitely be congratulated and honored just for having put that together from getting teachers which we did not have to ironing out all the difficult problems of the program Bob made it all happen in his own way upbeat and positive Bobby is with his well respected as a colleague and by his colleagues and also by students and I can share this story with you a few years ago the New Jersey state Society CPAs nominated Bobby as a faculty in the outstanding faculty member state of New Jersey is his students also have a great amount of respect for him I know every time I would go to an area to teach CPA review course it bought me was there before me I said Gee how'd you enjoy Bobby it was a twinkle in the right which really expressed their admiration they had for Bobby the students continued continuously commented of how lucky they were to get a teacher at Bob's caliber they enjoyed the fact that Bob enjoyed teaching them so much the liveliness the excitement the enthusiasm that he generated in the class what Bob did for me and I guess everybody in this room was tremendous he made such a big difference in my career in getting us further both in education and just in real life examples of what what life will bring what Corporate America will bring Bob was just a great Advocate between the students and the university he was always there for us never wanted to leave early of course he loved to schmooze and you know that was always something great that he liked and we liked but it was always very helpful until today I still call Bob five questions anything that could go on there are things that happen to my career that I called Bob about he's always there has a student's best interests Bob was just a great guy all around you are the consummate relationship Builder I don't know if I've ever known anyone who's better at building relationships than you are not only are you a good relationship Builder you're an equally if not better relationship to stand there's nothing that I look forward to more than to catch by being at an open house or Mrs fisherman will tell me you know Bob is going to be in the office today why don't you come by or I heard from Daniel Bob's going to be by today for lunch why don't you stop by and say hello to Bob and Bob was always Bob's always a breath of fresh air you come by and Bob was like hey how are the guys doing how's the class mosha how are the boys doing Bad Boys took an interest in every student there was never a time that you ever felt cut off or he's more senior or Untouchable Bob was just a guy that's always just there for us he was almost like that Uncle that he could always turn to at any time that's that's available that's wanting to help and you know that he really cares about us what um makes me really proud is that I thought the program would be successful but I never imagined it would be the size it is today knowing that we've had that kind of impact in the community and knowing that these young families now are going to be vibrant and economically stable is really very much like being a parent watching your children grow Bob you have given dozens of graduates a gift of self-sufficiency for themselves and their families and they have launched their careers and thank God are doing very well has really affected or touched over 2 400 maybe 3 000 actual individuals when you include the families the wives the children that's one heck of an accomplishment for one person and you seem to be the person to do it what you did for for the Lakewood community and for so many hundreds of families is that you use this word and I could use this because this is Bob but you brought parnassa a livelihood to so many hundreds of of young families in Lakewood and it's it's just it's really unbelievable when you think about it he's honoring in January's well-deserved that was probably the best in his retirement to wish Bob well is is not going to do it just because you know we know that Bob's always going to stay in touch with with me and with all the students and we know that he's always available for us but you know being that he is did go into early retirement we don't see him in the classroom or in the hallways now with PCS they certainly want to just wish him best of luck in all his Endeavors hopefully gets to travel a little meet people continue teaching Becker and know that you made a tremendous tremendous influence on me many people in this room our families our children and that's something we're forever grateful to I took my hat to you I consider you a close friend and a close associate and I wish you sue all of your children and all of your grandchildren nothing but the best going forward you are the best enjoy everything you deserve a lot of credit for what you've done if I had the power to do it I'd build you build you a monument my wishes to you is that you should enjoy your retirement and try to relax just try to take it easy a little bit enjoy the beach house and enjoy the family and thank you so much best wishes thank you for everything I PCS staff board alumni and students are all going to miss you dearly but I'm not worried about that because I know what you're going to tell me as you always do Daniel don't worry I'll take care of that Bob we look forward to you coming back glad I I had the opportunity to do this at the end of my career because this really became the crowning achievement of all that I've done at the University and the project that I am most proud of again because of the impact you know in the community that we've had so although I am retired officially that doesn't mean I'm out the pasture I think I'll be back to Lakewood probably to continue teaching here and there I just needed a bit of time to kind of chill out uh catch up on some things and I'm sure that you know I'll miss being around the students and that'll throw me back to the program and as long as I have my health and mental faculty I'll be happy to come back and continue teaching with the students because it's really been a great experience please join together to pay tribute to a man who has made a difference to so many the staff students and alumni of PCS wish Bob much success in all his future endeavors thank you foreign