Dr Robert S. Grossman (Bob), 97, beloved husband of the late Annamae Joanne Beckmann Grossman, died peacefully at home August 1, 2026, after a long illness. He was the son of Jacob and Bella (Seidenberg) Grossman and was born September 11, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York.

Bob is survived by three children, John Grossman (fiancée Tina Corning), David Grossman (fiancée Shrei), and Amy Katriel (husband Ron). He was Papa to the pride and joy of his life, his four grandchildren Melissa Grossman, Lisa Coates (husband Joe), Eli Katriel (partner Ari McVeigh) and Kit Katros (wife Phoebe). His life was greatly enriched by his five great-grandchildren Jacob, Emma and Hannah Rockafellow and Ava and Trevor Coates, who also loved to come and visit with him. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Karter, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from Midwood High School, Brooklyn College and St. Louis University School of Medicine. He did his internship at Lenox Hill Hospital, then joined the US Army where he was a first lieutenant for two years, serving in Germany during the Korean War. When he returned, he did his residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital where he met his wife Annamae on the other side of the operating table. They moved to Newtown, where they raised three children with love and devotion. A fourth child, Kenneth, died shortly after birth.

Dr Grossman’s life was dedicated to service. His career flourished as he founded and expanded his surgical practice to seven physicians. He practiced surgery at Danbury Hospital for 43 years and was instrumental to its growth and technological advancement. Over the years he was Chief of Surgery, President of the Medical Staff, a member of the Board of Trustees, a founder of the surgical resident program, and was well known to everyone there.

He was President of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association for many years and a key participant in the fund raising, design and construction of the modern Ambulance Garage building at the former Fairfield Hills hospital location. He served on the Connecticut Lyme Disease council, was a chairman of the Board of the Newtown Health District, worked as a medical examiner for the state of Connecticut, and was a Trustee, Corporator, and Corporator Emeritus at the Newtown Savings Bank. He was celebrated as the 2016 Newtown Labor Day Parade Grand Marshal.

Bob was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His favorite hobby was his farm, including beekeeping, gardening, horses, sheep and chickens. For many years he had three separate vegetable gardens as well as a greenhouse full of beautiful orchids. In addition to gardening, he was excellent at skiing (teaching his children and grandchildren how to ski into his 80s), swimming, windsurfing and boating, as well as an accomplished horseback rider. He became an instrument rated private pilot in the 1980s, in order to fly Annamae and his family to their idyllic second home in Nantucket. He also enjoyed reading, particularly mysteries. He had a great sense of humor and was often an emcee at various events, including both Newtown Rotary Club and Newtown Men’s Club where he was an active member for over 50 years. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, August 6, at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown. A Funeral service will be held Friday, August 7, at 10 am, at Honan Funeral Home followed by burial at Newtown Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr Grossman’s memory to Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association or Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut.