Robert "Rob" Henry Lipskin

Robert Henry “Rob” Lipskin, born March 5, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, died on August29, 2026 at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

 

Rob was the son of Harold and Helen Lipskin and grew up with his sister, Sue Weiss, and identical twin, Roger. After moving to Lawrence, New York, the twins became local legends. Nearly impossible to tell apart, they were known for their antics and ability to use their identical looks to their advantage. Their home backed up to the Lawrence Golf Club, where they hopped the fence most afternoons to play a few holes, beginning a lifelong love of golf.

 

Rob graduated from Lawrence High School, briefly attended George Washington University and served in the United States Navy, somehow completing his service without ever setting foot on a ship.

He joined his father Harold’s company, Supermarket Representatives, where he and Roger spent their careers representing nonfood products to supermarkets. Rob could sell almost anything to anyone, and his customers loved him.

 

Even as the company grew, the twins shared an office, their desks facing each other. They turned almost anything into a contest, including daily wagers over who opened the morning mail. Competition came naturally to Rob, whether he was playing golf or sitting around a card table. His family affectionately called him a “chirper.” When he won, everyone heard about it.

 

Rob retired at 61, giving him more time for golf. An accomplished and fiercely competitive player, he served as president of the Men’s Golf Association at The Club at Ibis and recorded two holes in one. One highlight was playing Pebble Beach when he turned 70.

 

He was an exceptional ocean swimmer who spent countless hours riding the waves. An excellent downhill skier, he taught all his children to ski at a young age. He also loved horseback riding, travel and great food, often declaring, “That was the best ___ I ever ate.” He could wax poetic about an île flottante in Paris but was equally happy waiting for the red light at Krispy Kreme to signal hot doughnuts straight off the line. Costco hot dogs were another favorite.

 

Rob was not a conventional father. Open and adventurous, he wanted his children to experience life. During his first divorce, he had custody of his three young children, Lisa, Terri and Scott, an unusual arrangement for a father at the time.

 

For Rob and Roger’s 40th birthday, the twins celebrated at Les Mouches, the legendary New York disco, where Patti LuPone sang for them during a seated dinner. It was classic Rob: unconventional, adventurous and determined to live life to the fullest.

 

Later, Rob welcomed his fourth child, Jessie, who shared something particularly special with him: she was born on March 5, his own birthday.

 

On October 15, 1994, Rob married Joanne Mataxas, the love of his life. For more than three decades, they built a life together, first in Rockville Centre, New York, and later in West Palm Beach, Florida, where they spent many happy years at Ibis. In his later years, Joanne cared for him with extraordinary tenderness, allowing him to remain at home surrounded by the people, dogs and life he loved. His beloved dogs, Bogey, Buddy Boy, and Charlie, were his constant companions.

 

Perhaps Rob’s favorite role was Poppa. He was extraordinarily close to his ten grandchildren: Thomas Jardine Jr. (wife Hannah Jardine), Hayden Jardine, Sophie Jardine, Annie Jardine, Alex Kolesky (wife Molly Kolesky), Jake Kolesky, Paige Lipskin, Dylan Lipskin, Levon Dafick and James Dafick.

 

Being with Poppa meant golf cart rides, and fiercely competitive Hearts tournaments, complete with a Mexican sombrero for the winner. Whenever he suspected someone was trying to shoot the moon, he sounded his unmistakable human fire alarm. At any moment, they might also become victims of Poppa’s legendary tickle tortures, leaving them screaming for him to stop while laughing too hard to mean it.

 

Rob loved being funny and making others laugh, bringing a sense of fun wherever he went. He gave his children and grandchildren a sense of adventure, a love of travel, an appreciation for a remarkable meal, a healthy appetite for competition and, most importantly, the understanding that life could be tremendous fun.

Rob is survived by his wife, Joanne Lipskin; his identical twin brother, Roger Lipskin; his four children, Lisa Jardine, Terri Rogers, Scott Lipskin and Jessie Dafick; and his ten grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Sue Weiss, and his parents, Harold and Helen Lipskin.