Robert L. Ilardi's Obituary
Robert L. (Bob) Ilardi of Bartlett died peacefully at his home on March 6, 2019, following a long illness, with his loving wife of 50 years at his side. He was 84.Bob was a retired clinical psychologist, having worked primarily at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Tri-County Mental Health Center, and Western Mental Health Institute in Bolivar. Although he worked in many different capacities over his long career, including instructing medical students, it was his work with young children and adolescents that he enjoyed the most.Bob was born and grew up in New Jersey, and was a graduate of Rutgers University. He earned his doctorate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, after which he joined the UT medical school in Memphis. Bob was also a member of the Army Reserve.Bob’s love of nature and wildlife was a defining facet of his life. He was an avid birdwatcher, and was a past president of the Memphis chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, where he remained a member until his death. He participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count every year for 35 years. He also led many birding walks with TOS, and enjoyed sharing his birding knowledge and passion with others, especially new birders. With his wife and son, Bob volunteered along with other TOS members in the intensive and successful effort to reestablish the breeding population of the Bald Eagle at Reelfoot Lake.Bob’s love of music was also a major influence in his life. He played the clarinet and oboe, beginning in junior high school, and was a member of his high school and college bands and orchestras. He had wide-ranging knowledge and appreciation of many musical genres, with classical music and opera his favorites.Bob’s gift of story-telling was legendary among his friends and family, and captivated those who had just met him. His many tales of his childhood days in New Jersey captured both the history and the “feel” of the time and place, and he delighted in sharing them with all who would listen. He was also known for his quick wit and sense of humor, and regaled us with many colorful stories of his Army days, told with astonishing recall of the minutest details.Bob also loved cats, and had many over the years, mostly rescues whom he and his wife lovingly cared for. One of these was Pixie, who had been found as a newborn kitten and saved from hypothermia. Bob always said people don’t choose cats; cats choose people. And so it was with Pixie, who clearly had chosen Bob as “her person.” They were inseparable, and she remained on the bed by his side, curled up against him, throughout his illness.Bob is survived by his wife, Ginger; his sister-in-law, Janet Leigh of Cotuit, Massachusetts; his nephews Thomas Leigh and his wife Maggie Carchrie, of South Windsor, Connecticut, and David Leigh of Chicago, Illinois; and his grand-nephew and niece, Rory and Màiri Carchrie-Leigh. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, John, and by his parents Angelo and Vi Ilardi.A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., at the First Unitarian Church of the River. Please, RSVP to: 508-428-8940 or 901-409-7369. Note: Any cars parked on the street will be given tickets. Additional parking will be available at WREG News Channel 3 .Memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, or the Tennessee Ornithological Society.“Do not mourn my death; celebrate my life.”
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