Robert Winston Guest, “Bob”
June 29, 1951 - February 3, 2021
Robert Winston Guest, “Bob”, of Newark, Delaware, died suddenly on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
Born on June 29, 1951 in Danbury, Connecticut, Bob was the son of Pauline Klabe and Sidney Guest. After moving to Delaware as a young child, Bob graduated from Christiana High School in 1969. After that, Bob had a short stint playing baseball at spring training in Florida for the Oakland/Kansas City Athletics. When he returned home to attend the University of Delaware, Bob started dating the love of his life Mary Zita (Reddington) Guest.
Bob was a great salesman. He could sell snow to a snowman. He loved playing cards and carried a sock full of money around just in case a pop-up game of poker would arise. Bob was one of a kind. The odds of meeting someone as great as him were less than being hit by lightning. But lucky for us, Bob was hit by lightning in 1978. That lightning strike gave him a scar on his neck, but he liked to think it gave him a super power. It did. It was the uncanny ability of being able to be lovingly roasted by his adoring family. Bob took a joke better than anyone else. And his friends and family idolized him for that.
What made Bob Guest special, was not the fact that he treated his wife Mary Zita like a princess. Or the fact that he sculpted his children with nothing but love. Or the fact that he was born to be the most incredible Poppy to his grandchildren. No, that’s not it. Bob Guest was human. He made mistakes. A lot of them. What made Bob Guest so special, was the fact that he proved to his loved ones that if people put in the work, they can change for the better. And that’s exactly what he did. He made all of our lives better. He made our world better. And that was Bob Guest’s purpose.
Bob is survived by his wife Mary Zita, his son Brian, his daughter Megan, his grandchildren Collin, Ryan, Hutchinson, Lincoln, his daughter-in-law Jennifer, his son-in-law David, and the Reddington Clan.
All services will be held privately.
Any family members or friends who are unable to attend Bob’s service can live stream the service by clicking here at 11 am on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the ACLU at www.ACLU.org.
Kelly Ryan
Me back in 1971, asking Bob on their second date, “ hey, are you going to marry my sister”???
Bob’s response was a big laugh.
Present day, 2021. I am glad you did🥰
You were a great addition to our family. You will be missed immensely.
Carol Wissler
Mary Zita…I’m so sorry to hear about Bob. Prayers for you & your family at this time.
Shelagh Thomas
He truly was one of a kind !! If he loved you❤️ You knew it. He anticipated your needs. He has been in my life for almost 50 years. I have never asked Bob for anything and he never offered! He knew you had a need .HE WAS JUST THERE. I Flood , fire, natural and family disasters. He was there. He never expected anything in return. He was there to celebrate us all !!! He opened his home for our ginormous family !! Bob knew I loved him. I regret not telling him more. Love you brother you are missed
Stephanie Lakey
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of the whole family at this sad time. Love to you all xoxo
Cyndi Treco
Mary Zita I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my condolences for you and your family. Cyndi
Edward Goldenberg
Dear MZG and Children,
Megan’s Facebook post and Brian’s eulogy should make Bob proud of his legacy!
Love,
Ed
Beth Jeker
Bob you will be missed. You and Maryzita opened not only your home but your heart when I needed it the most. For that I will forever be Grateful! ❤
I hear that everyone wins at the poker table in the sky. ♠️
Grace Neal
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May all your memories give you comfort! May he Rest In Peace!💙
Barbara Mitchell
So sorry for your loss. He was a gentle man, with a loving soul.
My heart and prayers are with you at this time of your loss.
Barbara
Mary Ellen Raymond
Mary Zita, Brian and Megan,
I am so sorry for your terrible loss. Keep all the wonderful memories alive and know he is always there.
Love and prayers,
Mary Ellen Raymond
David Ryan
Nailed it! You described the man…and dare I say, the myth, and the legend…perfectly. He had a fun spirit. Even when he was ranting, he was doing it in a funny way with humor. It wasn’t his time. He will be deeply missed by the Guests and Reddington Clan – and when you add them and their spouses, and descendants up, that’s a great number of lives that Bob impacted. Condolences, thoughts and prayers. God Bless Bob!
Bob and Carla Mitchell
Sending the family prayers and strength so that they may live in celebration of his life and legacy.
David Starzyk
This is a wonderful tribute to an, obviously, wonderful man. Although I never had the pleasure of his company, I have worked with his son, who is as solid a citizen as they come. As a parent I know that my actions are reflected by my children; if this is so, and his boy is such a mensch, then the reflection is nothing but positive. RIP. Too young.
Conor Reddington Ryan
Keeping the Guest family in my thoughts and prayers, wish I could be there in person but COVID has prevented me from doing so. Much love to you all, the Ryan’s are here for you!
Brooke Wahlgren
Uncle Bob I’ll miss your big hugs and infectious laugh. I love you so much, weeee!
Rosie Cianci
Dear Maryzita, Brian and Megan,
Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to hear of Bob’s passing. The love that all of you had for him and the happiness that you shared was so evident. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with all of you for so many years. I pray that all your wonderful family memories will be a comfort to you . I’ll always be here for you my dearest friend.
Love ,
Rosie
Peggy Townley
Mary Zita, I am deeply sorry to read the passing of your loved one Bob. May he rest in peace. My thoughts & prayers to you & your family.
Peggy (Campbell) Townley
Helene Hirschler Williams
Dear MaryZita, Brian, and Megan and the rest of the Guest / Reddington families… I know you don’t know who I am but I am one of your long-lost relatives. I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful and kind man and his obituary exemplifies that. Prayers for you and your family. Helene Hirschler Williams
Cheryl and William Perrine
Dear MaryZita and family,
We are so very sad for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather. It’s just so unbelievable that a man with such presence is gone. I’m going to miss the stories of all the mishaps you two found yourselves in. The time he accidentally told you about your surprise 60th still brings a smile to my face. Bill is going to miss the time he spent with Bob teaching him RV 101.
MaryZita our hearts are so heavy and I wish this was all just a bad dream.
We are sending you lots of love and peace my friend.
Sincerely Cheryl and Bill Perrine
Jackie Laucirica
Dear Martzita and family,
I’m so so sorry for the loss of your husband and dad. Please know my prayer and thoughts are with your family. Hugs to you, Jackie.
Susan (Harrell) Whaley
Mary Zita and Family,
I was so very sorry to hear about Bob. I just cannot imagine what you must be going through. What a beautiful description of your precious Husband. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. God bless you all.
Susan (Harrell) Whaley
Christiana High School Class of 1971
Sebastian, Florida
Catherine Maguire
My deepest sympathy to the Guest and Redington families. Prayers for all. May perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.
Dorlene Davis
Mary, my heart goes out to you and your family. I will keep you all in prayer. Bob sounds like a wonderful person. I am sad that I never got to meet him. GOD bless you and your family.
Sheila Stecher
Mary Zita, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. God Bless you all.
LeRoy Hill
I remember Bob from my childhood. The kids from East Park Place and Kells Ave would congregate on Kells and it was usually Bob who organized things, picked the game, got everybody on a team etc. (Seems like his team always won, go figure!). Through the years always had a smile and a greeting. He was a good man and will be missed.
Pamela Nash
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing! I have great memories from school and him converting to Catholicism! RIP…Pamela Nash
James E. Chiffons
Mary, Megan, Brian – My condolences to you and your family. You have great memories of your dad to keep your hearts warm and wonderful stories to share with your children about his life. My best wishes to you all!
Kim Lewis
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family, so very sorry for your loss.
Wanda Godwin
Jerry and I send our condolences to Bobs family. May his memories help you during this time. Jerry has many fond memories of him
Christine Schaen
So sorry for the loss of Bob to his family. I graduated from CHS 1970 and knew Bob, who alway had a great smile and was friendly. God bless his family. May he rest in peace. Chris Doherty Schaen
Amada
Bob and I graduated together from CHS and, when we were young, we hung out a bit, but mostly we butted heads. I thoroughly came to regret that, but I never had the courage or sense to talk it out. And in a way, he ended up being the better, and luckier man. I grew up across the street from the Reddington family and they continue to teach me things about life to this day. To all of you, I am so sorry for your loss and pray for you to have strength through this time of mourning the loss of such a good father and husband. Bob was fortunate to have married into such a loving and wonderful family.
My condolences to the family, especially Megan and Brian, and Ziti.
As Shelagh would say, Love you.
Joe Hyland
I had the pleasure of working with Bob for the last few years. He was the most professional salesman I have ever worked with. One of his best traits was he wasn’t afraid to try or learn something new. If you knew him you would understand why donations should go to the ACLU, he was kind, jovial, willing to help you even if it didn’t benefit him but expected the same from everyone, loved his family, and gained the respect of his friends and coworkers. My most sincere condolences.
Donna calhoun Wood
i am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. i pray a peace to your family and you. we used to worked together many, many years ago and this came as a shock to me.
michael j. mitchell
Mary Zita prayers are with you may he R.I.P
DONNA L CHURCH-MACHESKI
Dearest Mary Zita, Brian and Megan
Please accept my condolences for you and your family. I really don’t don’t what to say .But I sure know he LOVED his family. Brian your dad is so proud of the eulogy you prepared. I cried and laughed. Bob was a wonderful funny person. That is how I’ll remember Bubbles . He is so LOVED by so many….May he RIP and God Bless. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
My heart is with your family at this time of your loss.
Love to the family
Donna
Mary Jane Boyle
Bob
Words cannot express the void that we all feel with the loss of you in our family.
You’ve been a part of our family longer than some have been born.
The friendships you forged with other brothers in law will linger with heartfelt funny memories and love.
You were the founder of the Weenie Club and always at the head of the poker table…. looking forward you to forge the way for all of us and keep an open seat at the table above.
We love you
Mary Jane and Sam Boyle
Leigh N Sibert
Dear Mary Zita
I am still speechless. Words cannot possibly express the sorrow. I pray for you and your family every day . You are one of the strongest women i know and have weathered much. This void can never be filled but the family you and Bob created will continue to bring you joy. The youngest additions need to hear all the stories and learn your Love story so they can keep the memories alive. I love you and please know we are all here for you. xoxo
Robin horn
Mary Zita. We are saddened by your loss. In Bobs memory Mark and I made a donation to the ACLU.
Sincerely Robin Horn Mark Mendell
Kathleen Herlehy Douglass
So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayer s coming your way.🙏 Laura Herlehy & Me Kathy💞