Robert Enrietto Obituary

Bob was a wonderful friend to many, me included. We started out working together at The Film Group in Chicago. Bob was a tender, great-hearted, caring man whose kindnesses I have never forgotten. I can still see him sitting by the side of my bed when I was down with bronchitis and a broken heart on a cold winter's night in Chicago, handing me a cup of tea, believing in my talent, encouraging in his quiet way...he was a bigger caretaker than I am! We had a lot of fun when I visited him from London and saw his shack on the beach down on the Pacific Coast Highway. He was a cozy, cuddly sweet man, good to the bone. He made the world a better place to be. Sweet dreams, Bobby...xoxoxoxo

Out of town and no laptop, I read the heartbreaking news of Bob’s passing in a crowded public library in Las Vegas (I know that’d strike you funny, Bob… me at a library in Vegas). My eyes welled up and I wanted to cry, but knew Bob would give me heck, especially being a Marine. Bob loved the Marines; maybe that’s why he took me under his wing at Columbia Chicago. Bob would oftentimes buy me, a broke college kid at the time, lunch or a drink. He spent several hours a week just hanging out with a couple other blessed guys and me. The stories he told I expect will, if not already, end up in a movie or part of the folklore of Hollywood. I learned more about film production from Bob graciously giving his time, mentorship and friendship at these sit-downs than I did in all my combined classroom time. Bob pushed me to do my best in film, and to get out and their and “Just shoot it, even if it’s out of a shopping cart!” Bob you are an inspiration. I oftentimes think of you, and am sad to say that I missed you in LA by only 2 months. I owe it to you that I have finally headed west, young man. I look forward to seeing your legacy at the West Coast Columbia. See ya around, Enrietto.

Your pal, Macchietto

I was in Canton when I heard of Bob's death which just goes to show that he touched people everywhere. It was a shock to me as it was to everyone. I especially felt it as I was abroad in a place far different from home. He was one of those unforgettably kind characters that one seldom encounters and one never forgets. I only met him once but I immediatedly felt right at home with him. I came over to the Columbia College office ostensibly for a job interview. We sat down for coffee and within the first couple of minutes we discovered we both were interested in the US Naval Campaigns in World War II. Well, we drifted into a discussion of that and it only took a couple of hours. Then it was off to his office where I mentioned I was an amateur poet--of a kind. He wanted to see a poem of mine. We got onto that topic and he encouraged me to try to get published. Encouragement is a precious commodity anywhere and in any field. And it was obvious that he must have been a great teacher because he knew how to offer genuine encouragement. He was a proud Chicagoan and I told him I once lived there. That took up another half-hour. Not only could we have carried on that way all day--we nearly did. We finally got down to the subject of my teaching. He didn't have much more than a guest lecture or two to offer me at that time. But...he referred me to about every chair of a film program in the LA area. and told me to use his name. He was a most generous man and went well beyond what he needed to do to help an aspiring film teacher. It's that generousity of spirit that I'll remember.



Glenn Speer

1/19/04

I was in Canton when I heard of Bob's death which just goes to show that he touched people everywhere. It was a shock to me as it was to everyone. I especially felt it as I was abroad in a place far different from home. He was one of those unforgettably kind characters that one seldom encounters and one never forgets. I only met him once but I immediatedly felt right at home with him. I came over to the Columbia College office ostensibly for a job interview. We sat down for coffee and within the first couple of minutes we discovered we both were interested in the US Naval Campaigns in World War II. Well, we drifted into a discussion of that and it only took a couple of hours. Then it was off to his office where I mentioned I was an amateur poet--of a kind. He wanted to see a poem of mine. We got onto that topic and he encouraged me to try to get published. Encouragement is a precious commodity anywhere and in any field. And it was obvious that he must have been a great teacher because he knew how to offer genuine encouragement. He was a proud Chicagoan and I told him I once lived there. That took up another half-hour. Not only could we have carried on that way all day--we nearly did. We finally got down to the subject of my teaching. He didn't have much more than a guest lecture or two to offer me at that time. But...he referred me to about every chair of a film program in the LA area. and told me to use his name. He was a most generous man and went well beyond what he needed to do to help an aspiring film teacher. It's that generousity of spirit that I'll remember.



Glenn Speer

Canton

1/6/04

Hey Rico,

After all these years, it is strange to hear that you are dead.

As you said at my father's funeral" Nobody dies", the same thought holds true here.

Your presence help me from the times

in Boy Scouts to the now. It is difficult to believe that a boyhood friend is departed. There are so many memories that I am overcome to a point that it impossible to keep them separate.



Thank you for your friendship.



Good Bye Rico

Uncle Bob was my Godfather. I'm sorry to see that he's passed on. My memories of him are good and I know he meant a lot to my father.

I wonder what the first joke Bob will tell God, cause I know he always had one for me. I had the honor of meeting this wonderful man 2 years ago and was so grateful he came into my life. I've loved working with him at Columbia College and I know how missed he will be by all he touched. But for Bob and that wonderful spirit of his that never will leave us, this is merely take two and I know he'll deliver the money shot. Miss you Bob, but still feel you down here.

On December 27th Bob Enreitto walked into a bar called Heaven. He pushed through the double doors, moved through the smoky room with the command of a glacier, stepped up to the bar and demanded to see the Man in charge.

God came out of the back room. He was a large, jovial man. He greeted Bob with a smile, but Bob was in no mood for pleasant formalities. He handed God his card and told him to have a seat. God abided.

Bob Enrietto sat God down and told him what was wrong with the world, our politics, our youth. God listened intently, and when Bob was done, he asked "What do you suggest?"

"I propose we start a new program that would train kids, 'students of life,' about the 'real' world, let them know how things are really supposed to be."

God cleared his throat, rubbed his beard and said "Interesting."

Last we heard, Bob was sitting around with all the Angels, scheduling them as guest speakers. So no one has to worry. Bob did what he could to help us in the land of Hollywood, now he's doing what he can to help us in the Land of Eternal Sunshine.

Bob's Boys, Hollywood California.

For My Very Special Friend Bob Enrietto And Family...

Some friendships are for always and nothing else quite compare to the comfort of friendships that are warm and lasting. A friendship is based on a gentle trusting way, special moments we shared, we shared the kind of friendship that has grown. Nothing else can compare to knowing you as a friend. We shared an understanding that will last a lifetime. We shared smiles and tears and through it all I've learned one thing...that there can never be a dearer friend than you. Though you have gone beyond my present sight and left us the world as we know, your radiant light will shine and brighten up another place more perfect, more divine. You've gone on to live in God's Eternal Light.

Helen Cuellar (CBS Security)

Father, mentor, coach, friend. Bob compiled a long list of credits, but these are the ones that mattered most. Over the last four years of my life I've spent every holiday, and nearly every Sunday afternoon with Bob. He talked, I listened. He advised, I learned. Bob was a living, breathing institution. His sudden passing, for myself, can only be viewed as a point of graduation. Class is over. Time to put my education to good use. So it's appropriate I share with you my most memorable lesson. In Bob's own words "The only thing that matters is the flight of creativity, nothng else means anything." Thanks Bob.

Timothy Walsh

I didn't know Bob Enrietto in his prime as a First Assistant Director, but I knew of his reputation for both solid competence and mischief. I'd hear tales of his exploits from people like Tina Mulacek, who was my right hand for the four years I served as Columbia's film production manager, or from our mutual friend, Bernie Caputo. Bob came into my life in the flesh at a time when I most needed a friend, and did me as good a turn as any man has ever done me. I know it's hard to picture Bob with a pair of wings, but take my word for it, he was an angel when angels were in short supply. If there's any justice in the cold heavens, he's gotten to keep those wings. Godspeed, Mr. E. Andy Hill

What can I say? I could write volumes about Bob Enrietto. I could write for hours about the huge void that his death is going to leave in the hearts of so many. But I have a mere page and I feel I have to say something. Not only was Bob the best boss I ever had, but he was also was one of the most dear and loyal people I've ever known. Not having an old man, Bob was truly the closest thing I ever had to a father. Even though there was a thirty year age difference between us, Bob was was one of the funniest and most enjoyable people to be around. An old Hollywood guy who loved talking story, loved going to used bookstores, loved movies, loved eating a good meal at The Smokehouse across from Warner Brothers, and loved watching Scooby-Doo on Saturdays. I've spent the last four years with Bob almost on a daily basis, and was looking forward to seeing him back at bungalow #25 this coming Monday to start another great year of the "Semester in LA" program at CBS. I'm still in a state of shock. This morning I drove into the studio to begin the heart wrenching task of going through Bob's many address books and calling all his freinds in Los Angeles and Hawaii and Ireland and informing them of his death. After six hours I was exhausted, and still I was only a fraction of the way down the list. There are hundreds of people who knew and worked with and repsected Bob Enrietto. And as I drove around the studio on Bob's golfcart passing out copies of his obituary everyone on the lot was shocked. Several people even broke down and cried when they heard the news. Grips, crew guys, drivers, administrators, landscapers, security guards - no matter who it was they were all touched by Bob one way or the other and each one shared a funny story with me about how they met Bob, or how Bob had done them a favor. That was Bob, a man of many favors. Or as one of his dear freinds, Jerry Virnig, described him, "Bob was the great 'prop'. He was always there for you, to bolster your confidence, and help you through whatever problem you had." Not only did Bob have hundreds of freinds, but he did a great thing at CBS by starting the "Semester in LA" program, helping hundreds of Columbia College students since it's inception make an easier transition into Hollywood, not being an academic, but a straight-shooter who gave young people real advice about how to navigate a town that is so daunting, how to reach their goals, how to one day achieve their dreams. Bob was a great man - smart, funny, giving, and a driving force that would always give you a boost in the right direction when you needed it. Saying he will be missed is an understatement. I only wish I had a chance to sit down with Bob for one more dinner at one of our North Hollywood hang outs. He went to Chicago for vacation, and is never coming back. I still cannot believe it. Bye Bob.

I only met Bob once but that once was a memorable experience. Back in May of 2000 Tim Walsh and I visited Bob at CBS Studios with the intention of Tim going to do “A Semester in LA” at CBS Studio City. We visited the “T” trailer, met Craig and Lou, sat in on some classes and got a tour of the lot in the Colombia College cart with flames on the side. Bob also arranged for us to visit a shooting of “Malcolm in the Middle” with Bob’s friend Davy (in charge of props) making sure that we got VIP treatment. The next morning we ate at the studio lot commissary where Bob bought breakfast and introduced us to a few people who were also eating. I’ll always remember the experience of that visit and especially the gracious hospitality Bob had shown us those couple of days.



Tim did the LA semester and thereafter stayed close friends with Bob.