Robert Balaban
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Published in March 2025
Robert “Bob” Balaban, of Lexington, MA, died peacefully at the age of 72 on March 13, 2025, after being diagnosed with ALS in December 2023. Born on April 20, 1952 in New York to Alvin and Barbara Balaban, Bob lived a life full of dedication, curiosity, and an unwavering love for his family.
Bob graduated from (one final grammar lesson from Bob – he hated when people said “graduated college.” It is graduated FROM college and never PIN number) Antioch College (because they didn’t have a football team) and the University of Michigan, where his concentration in Asian Studies fueled his interest in travel and culture. He took time off from his studies to travel throughout Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, a definitive and rewarding experience that he was proud to have taken part in. Later on, Bob’s pursuit of knowledge and hard work shaped a distinguished career as a software engineer. Bob’s coworkers described him as a visionary in the field that was known for his expertise and creative problem-solving. A dedicated mentor and trusted teammate, he approached challenges with intelligence, humor, and a willingness to help others, leaving a lasting impact on his colleagues. It was through his career that he met his beloved wife Irene Dondley, with whom he shared a happy 42 years.
Bob’s greatest joys in life were his daughter, Samantha, and his son, David. He was a loving and dedicated father who took great pride in his children. Whether listening to Samantha’s stories for public radio or discussing robotics with David, Bob was always happiest with them. He had a special fondness for his granddog Winnie and loved playing the role of Grandpaw to her. Bob enjoyed eating (he was still eating bagels long after his doctors strongly recommended he stop) and cooking, one of his favorite ways to show his love to others. He was known to ask his children what they wanted for dinner shortly after breakfast and inquire about Thanksgiving plans several months in advance. He was a superb host whose door was always open to family, friends, and friends of family for the holidays. A skilled cook, Bob cherished the opportunity to nourish those he loved with a slice of his signature matzo brei, irresistible freshly-baked bread, or an impossibly strong daiquiri.
In addition to Irene, Samantha, Winnie, and David, he is also survived by his sister Julie and her husband Alan Garber, and his brother, Scott Shaffer. He will also be deeply missed by his cousins, nieces and his nephew, as well as myriad other family members and friends who will forever remember his humor, wisdom, and the kindness he shared with all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Compassionate Care ALS. CCALS was with us from the beginning, providing much needed support and equipment that helped us get through this. Donations to CCALS can be made at https://ccals.org/.