ROBERT LOPEZ-CEPERO

LOPEZ-CEPERO, ROBERT, 76, loving husband to Cynthia Garber, of Elkins Park, died on July 27, 2020, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. A private funeral was held on July 29, 2020. Born in Bridgeport, Ct. and raised in Fairfield, Ct., he was the son of the late Luis and Kate (nee Tuozzoli), and younger brother of the late Luis, Jr.

Bobby graduated from Emerson College in 1965, earning a Bachelor's Degree in speech and communication, majoring in technical theater: scenic design and stage lighting, and minoring in speech and English.

His Emmy Award-winning television career at CBS, NBC, and ABC affiliate stations began at Boston's WBZ-TV, where he produced and directed primetime news, as well as live and taped children's programs. He next served at KYW-TV, where he was the technical director of "The Mike Douglas Show," and worked with an incredible array of celebrities, including an infamous performance by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Chuck Berry. Following a brief stint in Chicago with WLS-TV, Bobby returned to Philadelphia where he produced, wrote and directed the news as well as talk, entertainment, sports, and special programs for WCAU-TV, including the beloved "Gene London Show." Following his retirement in 2003, Bobby continued to freelance for WCAU, where he worked on their Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, and National Constitution Center special exhibit TV specials. He also directed "Bring in the Holidays at Longwood Gardens" as well as the WJJZ-FM/NBC-10 "Smooth Summer Nights" jazz concerts from Penn's Landing.

His career in television also led him to Cindy, the love of his life, whom he first met in 1984 when she was an audio technician at WCAU-TV. The pair married in 2006 and traveled the world, notably visiting Morocco last year with Old York Road Temple-Beth Am on a Jewish heritage tour. Bobby learned late in life of his Jewish roots, became fascinated with learning more, and not only converted to Judaism in 2017, but dedicated much of his time to studying Hebrew and immersing himself in his synagogue community.

A true Renaissance man, Bobby enjoyed hobbies including golf, skiing, ice skating, swimming, sailing, yoga, singing, stone sculpting, painting, and gardening. He recently taught himself to play the ukulele and often serenaded family and friends, including his youngest grandson, who was enamored by it. He also dedicated much of his time as a volunteer with a local hospice. Upon his retirement, he was a model and actor, with his face notably seen as a one-story-tall portrait on the side of Jefferson University Hospital for an ad campaign that lasted more than five years.

Bobby is survived by his wife Cindy Garber; daughters Megan Lopez-Cepero and Amy Okazaki (Hiroyoshi); stepdaughters Allison (nee Cradic) Rosen (Jeremy) and Dr. Melissa Cradic (Dr. Robert Homsher); grandchildren Brandon McGee (Erica), Kiyomi Okazaki, and Zachary Rosen; sisters-in-law Carol (nee Garber) Steiner (Dr. Rob) and Nancy (nee Garber) Braitman (Arthur); and many dear extended family members and friends.

Contributions in his memory can be made to Old York Road Temple-Beth Am or a charity of your choice.