On the evening of March 25th, 2016, Bob passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL, after having had a unfortunate fall from his horse. Bob was surrounded by all his immediate family at the time of his passing. Bob was 74 years old.
Bob was born in Perth Amboy, NJ on February 18, 1942. He was the first born of Vivienne and Ike Daniels. Bob and his family then moved to Westfield NJ. Bob would finished high school there. It’s here he embarked on his first experience with golf and had his first riding experience, which would turn into a great passion later in life.
Bob then went onto go to Tuft University, Boston achieving a B.S., Civil Engineering, and then proceeded to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his M.S.
He started his career by founding PSDI in 1968, Cambridge MA selling and supporting NASA’s first project management software, P2. The first offices was in the basement Harvard Square in Cambridge, commuting in his classic beetle fighting New England weather. PSDI proceeded to develop, market and support enterprise asset maintenance software, MAXIMO. Later, it relocating to Bedford, Mass., PSDI marketed its products throughout the United States and the world. His favorite offices would be in Italy, where he was known for becoming a great connoisseur of enjoying Grappa. Bob successfully took the company public in 1994. The company then changed name to MRO Software. On August 3, 2006 the company was acquired by IBM.
Bob married Susan Horwitz, NY and together they had 3 sons. Among the things they enjoyed with their family, was skiing and sailing, as well as establishing PSDI. Bob ventured into a second family with Anja Eckbo, Norway. They met on the polo field and spent many happy years working together. Bob was the kind of person who loved excitement and making things happen, something that was mutually shared. Bob and Anja had 3 sons together. They would eventually move the family to Florida. The last years of his life, Bob was accompanied by his girlfriend Virginia Golan, Argentina. Bob’s favorite song was the Eagles song, Take it easy. This may have been the real life experience of this song!
Bob’s polo career started with an encounter in VT in some 35 years ago. Through the years he actively included his sons in his passion for polo. Most of his victories was with a family member on his team. He has enjoyed playing both in Massachusetts and Florida, primarily with his team, Pony Express. During his career, Bob had the opportunity to play with some of the world’s best players. Bob loved his horses and had many ponies that would succeed under the worlds best polo players. Bob also engaged in a polo pony breeding program with his dear friends in Argentina, to promote the successful lineage of his barn. Like Churchill said, “there is something about the outside of the horse that is good for the inside of a man”.
Some of Bob’s most memorable memories was getting his eduction, taking his company public and the polo victories. He was a hard working man, an avid trader and someone that set out to achieve the American Dream. His persistence, passion, commitment and endurance brought him to a high level of success. His last words before going onto the field, in what would be his last chukker, was; “finally I am on the horse I can bump this guy with”, a fighter to the bitter end.
Bob is survived by his brother Roger and his family, his 6 highly loved sons and their families, Kenneth, Gregory, Mark Daniels together with Justin, Benjamin and Landen Eckbo Daniels. He will be dearly remembered.
We want to extend special thanks to the St. Mary’s hospital trauma doctors and professional crew for the great care and attention. The Hospice care was instrumental in support in Bob’s passing. And finally, all our families and friends for their unconditional support, kind words and attention these last week.
Bob will be cremated. In a memorial, some of his ashes will be scattered over the polo field located at Pony Express Farms on:
Tuesday March 29, 2016 at 5 PM (weather permitting).
So we will ask all who knew Bob or those who simply identify with his life’s purpose, to light a candle on Tuesday in memory of a life well spent and to take a few moments to reflect on how we, too, can bring light into the world. The location is 12940 S. 50th Street, Wellington, Florida 33467. Flowers may be sent there. Memorial donations may be made to Polo Training Foundation.
Please send any family condolences to 11348 Longmeadow Drive,
Wellington, Florida 33414.