Robert Solomon Obituary

Robert "Bob" Parker Solomon

December 22, 1958 - November 26, 2024

CARMEL, IN - Robert "Bob" Parker Solomon, 65, passed away on November 26, 2024, at his home in Carmel, IN.

Bob was born on December 22, 1958, in Albany, NY, to the late Congressman Gerald B.H. Solomon and Freda Parker Solomon. He spent his childhood in Glens Falls, NY, surrounded by loving family and friends who cherished him and his optimistic spirit.

A graduate of Glens Falls High School in 1978, Bob excelled academically and athletically. He was a standout football player and a Glens Falls Hall of Fame wrestler. Bob's passion for adventure and sports continued throughout his life, with pursuits including skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. He also served as Head Lifeguard at Million Dollar Beach on Lake George, and was the biggest Pittsburgh Steelers fan you could have ever met, embracing his mother's hometown team early in life.

Bob earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an MBA from Western New England University. He began his career in electrical power engineering with Northeast Utilities in Springfield, MA, where he worked for 14 years before taking a brief hiatus to work on a virtual reality video game with close friends. He later moved to Indiana where he married his then wife Tracy and embarked on a distinguished 23-year career with Hoosier Energy, rising to Compliance Manager of NERC and Power Markets.

Bob was an avid and skilled sailor and an active member of the Indianapolis Sailing Club. His infectious enthusiasm and gift for bringing people together, led him to being elected to the esteemed position of Commodore. He achieved national recognition for the landlocked club by winning the highly competitive open-water FIGAWI Race from Hyannis to Nantucket. He competed in the FIGAWI Race 29 consecutive years, forging innumerable friendships along the way. Captain Bob was the first ever recipient of FIGAWI's Howard K. Penn Spirit Award presented to the person that best exemplifies the FIGAWI spirit. Bob also competed in the challenging 636-mile Newport Bermuda Race.

Bob, like his father, was deeply patriotic and passionate about supporting veterans. He coordinated with Holidays for Heroes to host wounded veterans on his boats during numerous races, offering them a chance to experience the thrill of sailing. He was widely known to proudly wear bold American flag shirts, and for flying fantastically large American flags during his races. Bob also co-founded Operation Set Sail, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans through sailing, particularly those struggling with post-traumatic stress.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Congressman Gerald B.H. Solomon.

He is survived by his mother, Freda Solomon of Queensbury, NY; siblings, Susan LePorin (Mark) of Queensbury, NY, Dan Solomon of Greensboro, NC, Linda Solomon Wills (Robert) of Charleston, SC, and Jeffrey Solomon (Colleen) of Parkton, MD. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, Lindsey Praino (Jeff), Mark Solomon, Jon Solomon, Julia Solomon, Jason Solomon (Morgan), and Brooke Solomon (Nate); as well as cousins, Christopher Solomon (Erika) and Sandy Solomon Rolfe (Philip).

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 12 p.m., at Regan Denny Stafford Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

Burial will follow at Pine View Cemetery, 21 Quaker Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob to the Adirondack Vets House, 26 Pine Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. For more information please, visit www.adirondackvetshouse.com.