Obituary: Robert S. Nemo

Robert S. Nemo, beloved Atlanta Jewish community member, passed away May 6, 2023. Robert (affectionately known as “Bob”), 86, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and earned his bachelor of arts degree from The Ohio State University and his master’s degree at the University of Illinois.

Bob met his wife, Carol Breman Nemo, of Atlanta, at Ohio State, on their very first day on campus, and they got married three years later. The couple lived in Ohio for three years before moving back to Atlanta where they lived for the rest of Bob’s life. Professionally, Bob owned several Ace Hardware stores for nearly 30 years. His favorite thing was working on the floor with customers and helping them with their hardware needs. Bob especially loved the holiday season, as he loved to help people with their Christmas lights, ornaments, and decorations. Bob also loved opera: he loved listening to and attending operas, and then became an “extra” in the Atlanta Opera for many years and, ultimately, became a tour guide at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Bob and Carol loved to spend time at their pied-à-terre in New York City, taking in more opera, Broadway shows and volunteering on Tuesday mornings in Central Park.

Bob was an active community volunteer and trusted sage advisor his whole adult life. Bob served with the Red Cross for over 20 years, assisting in disasters such as Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, S.C., and many others. Closer to home, Bob served in many leadership positions at The Temple, including the Temple Night Shelter for Homeless Couples and The Temple Board of Trustees, The Breman Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

From the time he was in college, Bob collected beer bottles, ending with an impressive collection of over 3,000 bottles from all over the world. Bob had them all computerized by country and displayed on shelves all around his office. Bob also enjoyed many weekends marching with the Marching Abominables, a colorful, costumed community band, which performed at parades and festivals all over Atlanta. And finally, Bob loved all domestic pets, from dogs to parrots to monkeys and even bees!

Bob will be remembered for his kind heart, brilliant business acumen and funny one-liners. Bob will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Roberta Nemo; son, Dan (Tamara) Nemo; grandchildren, Avery Nemo and Will Nemo; brother, Edward (Ann) Nemo; nephews, Benjamin (Tatiana) Nemo and Jonathan (Cynthia) Nemo; nieces, Michelle (Jimy) Salmans, Jennifer (David) Pelcyger, Sybil Breman, and nephew, Joseph (Galit) Breman; and many other relatives.

The funeral service was held Tuesday, May 9 at 12 noon at The Temple. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The William Breman Jewish Home or The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999. Sign online guestbook: www.DresslerJewishFunerals.com.

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