Robert Donald (Reuven Dovid) Schiffman

Personality

Bob was a quiet, friendly mannered fellow. He and Hilda never went to bed angry. He liked to drink his coffee early in the morning and do the New York Times Crossword puzzles. He liked to watch legal shows on TV, read mysteries, play Bridge, collect stamps from around the world, and play golf. He was very artistic. He was originally a lefty but they converted him in school to being a righty. He enjoyed picture framing and building furniture. He was very handy around the house. He enjoyed mowing the lawn and doing garden work. He also enjoyed parties, bbqs, Jewish holidays, family events, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Army Life

He was drafted during WWII and became an officer in the US Army Infantry, Cavalry Division. He was injured in the Battle of the Bulge and sent home with a Purple Heart award. For many years he had nightmares of the war.

Professional Life

As a young man, he worked for Uncle Milton Morris' printing business on White Street in NYC. He started college at NYU but was drafted to the army.

After the war, Bob worked for the furniture business of Phillip Caminez, Lena's husband, his step father in law. This inspired him to start a wholesale furniture business with his brother in law Irving Rutenberg called Modern Manor. at 44 West 18th St. in NYC. When there wasn't enough business for both of them, Bob agreed to leave the business. He was paid out $10K and went on to other roles.

Then he went to work for William Levitt, a builder, helped families with new homes buy furniture and appliances.

Then he worked for Leisure Village in Lakewood, NJ, helping seniors over 55 find furniture.

Steven Smith lived across the street from Bob in Great Neck and he was in the dairy business. He hired Bob to sell ice cream / sorbet called Frusen Gladje. He retired from that job but some months later, he died at age 67 in 1985.

He had been coughing a lot but didn't want to acknowledge he was sick. One day he coughed up some blood. He finally went to the doctor. They diagnosed him at North Shore Hospital, he tried chemo, but died several weeks later. He had been a smoker from 14 years old until age 55 and died of lung cancer.