In Loving Memory of Rob Michelson. When a Bell Rings…

Posted by Judi Sohn on January 31st, 2008

In July 2006, we received an email to the C3 mailbox:

I am Rob Michelson, age 39. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

I am a proponent of clinical research. I am doing some investigatory work to educate myself about colorectal cancer advocacy and have come across the C3 website. I’d like to find out more about C3 and potentially, how I can add my voice to the advocacy and support programs.

Sadly, that voice was silenced on Tuesday night. Robert Michelson passed away at the age of 40, leaving behind his wife Margherita and 3 young sons.

Since that initial email of introduction, Rob actively touched every corner of C3’s work on behalf of the colorectal cancer community. He threw himself full force into the fight. Many of our advocates focus their attention solely on changing policy, some focus on pushing research. Rob did it all.

He served on the C3 grassroots advisory committee, which steers the work that we do with our advocates. He attended our 2007 Call-on Congress and was one of the planners for our 2008 event. Rob was the kind of constituent that makes Members of Congress nervous: smart as a whip, passionate about the cause and completely unafraid to push for more. He also participated in our Research Advocacy Program and was the patient representative on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), which oversees colorectal cancer clinical trails in the US. The photo on the right was taken at our 2007 training in Orlando, Florida.

He was one of the champions for the C3 Lisa Fund, which raises money to go directly to a researcher looking into cures and treatments for late stage colorectal cancer. In fact, he single-handedly raised thousands for the Lisa Fund through his direct appeals to his friends, family and co-workers.

He understood everything C3 was about, and he gave his time and heart passionately to our shared cause.

For the staff of C3, when we think of Rob, we hear bells. Stock market opening bells.

Rob is in the center of this picture.

Rob worked at the New York Stock Exchange. Last year, through his tenacity and passion, he pushed to get C3 invited to ring the Opening Bell the first Monday in March (Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month).

C3 President Carlea Bauman (to Rob’s left in picture above) remembers:

When we all piled onto the podium, I recall seeing groups of people looking up at us with huge smiles on their faces. I realized that they were all Rob’s friends who had come to watch him have his moment. And what a moment it was: the whole world heard about colorectal cancer that day and colorectal cancer patients saw one of their own broadcasting their plight and showing them that they weren’t alone.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Margherita, their sons, friends and family during this difficult time. We will carry his voice with us, and we will not give up the fight.

Please consider supporting our efforts in Rob’s honor.

Comments

Carlea Bauman

January 31, 2008 at 10:38am

Rob was so committed to this issue and so honest with his emotions. He was, as my dad used to say, “good people.”

I got to see Rob when he was in DC last fall for the ECOG meeting. He came out to the C3 office and Joe and I took him to lunch. He looked thin, but seemed so happy to be in the thick of the fight – talking about research at ECOG and talking about policy with Joe and I. He was completely in his element.

As I do with so many of the friends I’ve made and lost through my work with C3, I curse this disease while also being so grateful to have known them.

Judi, thank you for writing such a lovely tribute.

Cathy Huffman

January 31, 2008 at 10:57am

Please know how loved Rob was in the Advocacy world and how very much he will be missed but never forgotten.

Cathy Huffman

Deborah Kanter

January 31, 2008 at 11:15am

Although I only got to talk with Rob at length during last year’s Call on Congress, there was something about his energy that stayed with me, that resonated then and resonates, still.

Rob mesmerized me with his comprehensive knowledge of legislative talking points, research advances and obstacles facing advocates and politicos. That wasn’t all. Robert touched my heart.

His passion for the cause and his concern for others fighting at the time radiated. His caring stayed with me. I melted.

Well, C3 will be different now. Somehow, I think Rob’s energy and spirit will be a tangible presence–for a long time.

Deborah Kanter

Suzanne Lindley

January 31, 2008 at 11:27am

I met Rob at Call on Congress for the first time last year, though I had long been familiar with his name and accomplishments. The first thing I noticed was his beaming smile; the next was his enthusiasm which was impossible not to catch. His voice, passion, light and friendship will be terribly missed. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

Nitin

January 31, 2008 at 11:39am

Rob was my Manager at NYSE and what a wonderful perosn he was. Never seen someone so committed and supportive till the very late. He will always be remembered by all my team mates and the lives he touched.

Cheryl Cowles

January 31, 2008 at 1:00pm

When I opened my e-mail last night I felt so sad. All I could think of was, oh no not Rob too! Rob’s passion to take action to fight this horrid disease was so much a part of who he was. He will continue to be an inspiration to me. His strength, character and courage said all you needed to know about who he was as a person. His love for his family spoke volumes about who he was as a busband and father. Rob left all who knew him with hope for the future. Once again my life has been enriched by having met another colon cancer hero. I got involved because of my brother but the fight has become about so much more. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Cheryl

Nancy Roach

January 31, 2008 at 2:43pm

I met Rob face to face in October 2006 at a meeting in Baltimore. I remember sitting with him and Andy, talking about how to change the world. Rob dove in with incredible energy. In a short time, he managed to increase awareness, generate political support for http://www.CoverYourButt.org and support direct funding of research thru the Lisa Fund.

I also remember him talking about his family, and how much they meant to him. We cried together in Orlando last year because he wanted to grow old with Margherita and see his sons grown.

Rob, I will miss you forever, and remember you always. Thank you for finding us.

Peter Boyle

February 1, 2008 at 9:06pm

I worked with Rob for the past 10 years at the NYSE. I lost my mother to colon cancer years ago. She was 47 when she died.

My heart goes out to Rob and his family. He put up a great 3 year fight.

I recently had a colonoscopy. They found and removed one benign polyp. Thank God for screening.

Todd Mozingo

February 1, 2008 at 11:58pm

I didn’t know Rob, but I read many of his messages and watched him ring the bell at the NYSE last March 5. I was impressed by the investment he made in advocacy amid managing a serious disease. His untimely death is saddening. His passon for advocacy and the awareness he raised–just the opposite.

Lisa Healey

February 2, 2008 at 12:10pm

My heart breaks for Rob. He was indeed a kindred soul.

Rob I miss you so much already. The world will not be the same without you in it.

“I see the light of your eyes in Gregory’s playfulness, Joseph’s eagerness and Matthew’s intelligence and perserverence.

I really wish that we could have kept you here with us for forever and a day. You have no idea how many people you affected and all of us will miss you more than you will ever know. I wish I had the chance to say these things to you , but it was not the time. You are with God in a better place and heaven is golden today.

Lisa Healey, Mattew Healey and Patrick Healey.

special soul”.

Mario Rogowicz

February 2, 2008 at 10:25pm

I’ve known Rob for the past 12 years, in fact I hired him to work with me at the NYSE. What struck me the most about him was that he was always passionate about everything he did. This passion, I believe, is what kept him going through the past 3 years and pushed him fight for himself and advocate for others in his condition.

Joseph Nardulli

February 3, 2008 at 11:46am

Rob was my brother-in-law, his wife Margherita is my sister. Rob touched my family in so many ways, it’s hard to begin. We are so deeply saddened by his untimely passing.

Rob had an unbounded passion for life, a brilliant man who excelled in everything he put his mind to. He had a great career, a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit; his congenial nature always made people feel comfortable around him. But family is the one word I would ultimately use to describe Rob Michelson. He was such a dedicated husband, father, son and brother that once he found out he had cancer, he poured himself into learning everything he could about his condition because he knew he needed to survive for his family. Rob never wore his pain on his sleeves. Unless you knew he was sick, you would never have known it by his attitude. No matter how ill he felt, he always did his best to attend family functions and be a part of what he loved most in life. Only towards the end was it obvious that something was wrong, but even then, Rob would never make you feel uncomfortable and always put on a brave face. I will see to it that Rob’s three sons are raised with his principles, his dedication to the pursuit of excellence and above all, his passion for life and family.

I’m mystified that Rob was taken from us so soon. I can only think that Rob’s early demise is part of God’s greater plan for us all, something we won’t understand for years to come.

Regards and God Bless…

Joe, Linda, Jessica and Victoria Nardulli

Cathy Nardulli

February 3, 2008 at 3:00pm

My sister, Margherita, found the most wonderful man in life…Rob. They were supposed to grow old together and watch their sons grow old as well. If you hear bells when you think of Rob, it’s because an angel received his wings, and Rob is that angel that will be watching over his family now from up above.

Rob was many things to many people, but to me he was family…a brother…and a friend. I will always remember his infectious laugh, big blue-eyed expressions and his smile that would light up a room. He had great determination in life which he always approached with his wonderful sense of humor and wit. He had great concern for others even while enduring his own pain and suffering which was far greater than he ever let on.

With my help as their aunt, his three sons, Matthew, Joseph and Gregory will grow up to remember their father as a man to be proud of, a man to be fortunate to have known in this life, and a man to look forward to seeing in the next.

Rob, if you can hear me now…the world is a sadder place than it ever was, and I miss you.

Raymond A. Penko

February 3, 2008 at 6:50pm

My sister and Rob’s wife have been close friend’s since childhood. Margherita and I have been friends over the years. I was saddened when I heard Rob had passed. He passed exactly 1 yr after one of my friends died of Lung Cancer. She never smoked.Fortunately for her, Susan only found out she had cancer the day before she died.

As a disabled person, I have advocated for medical research. I thank people like Rob and this organization for doing there part to create progress, not just change. Rob wanted progress in the work on cancer. We all need to do our part to beat it. I am doing my part the last few months by working on Senator Clinton’s campaign because she advocates for extensive increases in funding to annihilate this dreadful disease we call cancer. As I continue my volunteer work, and shed tears for all of the people like Rob and Margherita and the countless other families I have met along the road in various states, I will have Rob, Margherita and their entire family in my thoughts. I will also pass along to Senator Clinton the work that Robert did on behalf of C3.

Barbara Moffatt

February 3, 2008 at 7:12pm

I have known Rob since he started dating my childhood, and still, friend. I remember how happy his wife was to have met him. I have watched them grow together, raise three boys, and then be faced with this horrible disease.

Rob was a true hero, a relentless advocate for people suffering with rectal cancer. I recall the many trips he took to fight for a cure and never once uttering a complaint about what he faced or how he felt. Rob will be sorely missed by myself and my family. We will be there for his wife and boys and be sure that they know the true hero their husband and father really was. God bless you, Rob. I’m sure he needed your help and called you to him to do his work. We await the day when we see you again. We miss you!!!

Bill, Barbara, Breanna and Shawn Moffatt

Fran Yuricic and Family

February 3, 2008 at 8:29pm

I am Margherita’s best friend.(Rob’s wife) I cannot tell you how sad it makes me that Rob is no longer here with us. He was a great husband, father and friend. You could always rely on him for a smile. He always had a sense of humor even when he was feeling down. He will be missed.

Forever in our thoughts…..

Pete & Maria Nikolatos

February 4, 2008 at 10:33am

Rob had lived an amazing life even though it was rather short. Rob was a great man, husband, father, and friend.

What is it that we remember when we think of Rob? I think everyone who knows him very well would agree with us on this. It was his love and caring for his family and friends; his strength and sincerity. He was the kind of person that would make everyone feel so special, even when he wasn’t feeling well himself. His patriotism was bar none. The Fourth of July B-B-Qs he and Margherita hosted at their home with great food, great music, and most importantly great friends. We always had such a great time. And who could forget his 40th birthday! Between the poker playing, Rob’s dealing, oh and let’s not forget the “Rob bucks”…if you were with Rob you always felt good, even when he didn’t.

Rob’s death was sudden. Opening our email last week, we simply could not believe it. Rob was too young but as it slowly occurred to us we have realized that Rob indeed lived his life wonderfully. Rob was well-loved and he had done so many things on earth and we’re sure he’ll do much more in heaven. We will forever be grateful to have known Rob. Pete will forever be grateful for spending almost 20 years of his life (and I for the 10 years of mine) with a friend like him. All the memories we have shared with him will forever be cherished and remembered. So although Rob is in heaven now and we are here on earth. And though we are grieving his death, we need to celebrate his life. Don’t ever forget Rob; in the moment when we feel the loss of such a special man, let’s all think back and remember how Rob touched our lives. How he made us laugh and how good Rob was as a person. Although we can’t help but shed our tears for his passing and his family left behind, but we should also be thankful that we were given the chance to have known a brave, strong, loving man named Rob Michelson.

Rob will forever be missed but we know in the right time, we will meet Rob again. Rob will forever live in our heart… Pete, Maria, Jordan and Jeremy Nikolatos

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what’s to be,

A resting place along the road,

to sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

but never meant to stay…

Our destination is a place,

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey’s quicker,

For some the journey’s slow.

And when the journey finally ends,

We’ll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the lord

Author unknown

Maria Nikolatos

February 4, 2008 at 10:44am

Dearest Margherita, Matthew, Joseph and Gregory,

I came across this poem – author unknown – and immediately heard Rob’s voice talking to you all, so I decided I’d share it here with you and all those who’s lives have been touched by Rob…

May God bless you and keep you in His ever-loving embrace always…

In our thoughts and prayers,

Maria Nikolatos

I Am Always With You – author unknown

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do,

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears,

But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess

How much you’ve given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love that you have shown,

But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust

That it is only for a while that we must part,

So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear

All my love around you soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home”.

mitch greene

February 4, 2008 at 1:37pm

It is with great sorry that I write this. Rob was one of my best friends and, by far, my oldest friend. I moved next door to Rob when we were 4 years old. As young boys who shared much in common we sometimes fought hard with each other, and at times were close friends.

The fighting ended in high school when we finally became true friends. Friends who recognized the differences and similarities between us. Rob was a shy young man who blossomed when he started to drive. I remember him eagerly joining myself and other friends in a social life that was typically teenage. We got in a little trouble and did some things that we should not have. While I helped open-up Rob socially, he had a calming influence on me. He was an anchor that I needed. His intelligence and good sense got through my thick skull like no one else’s because I respected him and the closeness we shared.

As the years went on we, like so many people, drifted apart. I moved around the country and Rob settled into his life back on Long Island. Yet, we still stayed as close as possible. Rob visited me in Texas and I got to see him sometimes on my quick visits to NY. We would often call each other out of the blue and talk for too long but not nearly long enough.

Margherita was a gift in Rob’s life. I remember him telling me how much he loved her early in their relationship and when I finally met her I remember feeling so happy for my old friend. Although I kidded him about his “my three sons” I know how much the boys completed his life.

I had the pleasure in September of seeing my friend for the last time. He was thin and seemed tired but I was hopeful that he would be all right. He never gave off anything but optimism and I eagerly looked forward to seeing him again and behaving like irresponsible kids again with him.

I am so sorry that we will never be able to do that again; that Marg and the kids are without this great man and that the world has lost such a great person.

I will miss my friend Rob. I am happy that his pain has ended and I hope he takes pleasure in looking down on his family and friends. We will all miss him.

I love you Rob. Thank you for being such a large part of my life. I will miss you dearly.

Mitch

Rosebud

February 4, 2008 at 7:34pm

I feel very privileged to have known such an incredible and courageous person like Rob. He was one in a million. I will miss him terribly along with his dazzling smile, his fantastic sense of humor and of course, our political discussions.

If anyone would’ve told me that my friend and her children would be left without a husband and father at such a young age I would’ve never believed it; not in a thousand years. But with God’s Blessings, Margherita’s strength along with her wonderful and loving family, she and the children will persevere.

Rest easy, dear Rob.

Rosebud

February 4, 2008 at 7:34pm

Rest easy, dear Rob.

Mela & Pat Correale and family

February 6, 2008 at 8:29am

Rob Michelson was a courageous fighter who will never be forgotten. Rob started a wonderful life with my very close friend Margherita, which was so tragically cut short. Rob was on a journey to find a cure for this dreadful disease. He knew that he may never find a cure in his lifetime but still kept fighting for the cause. To me, that speaks volumes about the type of person he was. He was a wonderful father and husband. We all feel this overwhelming sadness that he is gone. We will be there for Margherita (who has also had to endure the horrors of this illness)-and even though she never complained I know this was not an easy road for her. We know Rob will give Margherita the stregnth from Heaven to raise their beautiful boys to become fine men following the example of their dad. We will miss Rob–but we will never forget him.

Loe,Laurie,Joseph & Diana Cangro

February 8, 2008 at 12:06pm

Rob is a very special person and he will be missed. We are happy for the time we did get to share with him, but it was definately to short. It made us better having him in our lives. We feel truly blessed. He was a wonderful man. We all have a wonderful Guardian Angel now. Especially Margherita and the boys. Margherita, know that we are just a phone call away at any time. We love you and the boys.

lee

February 13, 2008 at 12:50am

Let’s make a difference and keep the legacy of Rob Michelson’s advocacy alive. In loving memory of such an incredible human being who posessed such a strong spirit.

Ted Latner

February 15, 2008 at 10:20am

I first met Rob in 1987 at SUNY Binghamton, when I was a freshman and he was a junior. He lived on the floor below me, but I didn’t really get to know him too well until the following year when I moved into his suite. My freshman year had been pretty miserable, but Rob took me under his wing and really looked out for me. It was almost like having my older brother at school with me.

I was sad when Rob graduated at the end of the year, but fortunately he came back a year later to pursue his masters. The following year, I moved into a rundown off-campus apartment with him and our friend Lee. Rob and I spent a lot of time together that year, travelling back and forth to classes, on trips back home during holidays and frequent trips out to eat.

Rob taught me a lot during our time together at school. He taught me how to gamble, taking me on my first trip to Atlantic City and then back a few more times. Somehow he ended up getting comped for everything so it only cost us whatever we lost. Admittedly he sometimes got a bit carried away at Blackjack. I never did get the hang of craps even though he must have tried explaining it to me about 10 times.

Rob also taught me that you can fight the system — specifically parking and speeding tickets He used to have a real lead foot back in college. I remember one time he told me to close my eyes when driving to campus and he asked how fast I thought we were going. I don’t remember what I guessed, but it turned out we were doing 90 in a 50 mph zone. I remember Rob having to take a few field trips to towns off of route 17 between Binghamton and Long Island to fight tickets, and he won more often than not — or at least got good reductions. I’m not surprised that he ended up putting those same skills to good use while advocating for C3.

Rob also taught me that Republicans could be great people — not a small feat considering that I was a young liberal from New York City. I never did quite buy into the greatness of Ronald Reagan, but I did learn to respect Rob’s political views and had fun debating with him.

Rob also helped to inspire me to pursue a career in Technology, after waffling between different things. I eventually ended up doing a similar job as Rob at JPMorgan, a few years after he moved on to the NYSE.

Rob and I stayed in touch after Binghamton, but I didn’t see him as often as I should have. Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted with things and to forget that time is passing us by. Rob had a lot going on too. I was so happy for him when he met and married Margherita and they had their three wonderful boys. I am in awe of how strong and supportive Margherita was during this difficult time and I know her support enabled Rob to keep fighting to the end. I still can’t believe he’s really gone, but he’ll live on in all of our memories.

One last word about C3 — Rob talked to me about the organization a few years ago and I could tell how much his work with them meant to him. I’ve donated to them several times since then and plan to continue in his memory. Hopefully their work will be finished one day, but until then, let’s help them to continue their advocacy and support.

Ann Wornick

February 23, 2008 at 3:18pm

I still can’t believe Rob has passed, he was such a remarkable person in so many ways! I am a young colorectal cancer survivor and first met Rob at C3’s research advocacy training in Orlando in Jan. ‘07. He was such a vibrant energy force, full of passion, knowledge, dedication, and yes, anger at the situation. I later saw him again in March at C3’s Call On Congress and was sooo glad to see him again and participate together. I am terribly sad that we have all lost such a young man to a horrible disease, but we are all the much stronger and passionate for knowing such a man as Rob. I will never forget him and will keep him close at heart and mind as I continue on my own journey. God Bless his family and know that many thoughts and prayers are with you all.

lisa healey

January 26, 2009 at 12:10am

I have thought about Rob alot during this month.
it feels as though I have not seen him in years.

Dear Rob rest in peace knowing your fight is being fought every day at the coalition.
God bless your family

Fran Yuricic

January 29, 2009 at 5:31pm

It has been one year since you left us and it still hurts that you were taken away from us…..We miss you…..

Ruth Rosenberg

June 30, 2009 at 11:46pm

I read the C3 Summer newsletter online today and just now learned about Rob’s passing. I did not know him well but remember our first meeting so vividly. It was the very first meeting of the fledgling Voices of New York Colon Cancer support group in a cafe on the Upper East Side – I was very new to advocacy and was blown away by all the research Rob provided and the passion he shared for his research. He definitely lit a fire in my mind and made me believe I could make a difference. Following this initial meeting, we didn’t see him very much, but he continued to email our small group about the latest legislative efforts and his work with C3. As our group developed over time, members came and went and it wasn’t unusual to lose touch. However, I was so sad to learn he had passed so many months after the event – I used to get a hard copy of the C3 newsletter and just discovered the online version has been landing in my SPAM folder. My heart goes out to his family and friends – for someone who impacted me so deeply after such a short acquaintance could only have done so a thousand-fold to them. I have made a small donation to C3 in his memory – his spirit and passion live on in so many of us.

Colorectal Cancer Coalition