Robert Fomalont M.D., of Cranbury, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on September 27th, 2020 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 85.
Born in Philadelphia to Celia and Jack Fomalont, Bob (often referred to as Rob) grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated with friendships that lasted a lifetime from West Philadelphia High School in 1952. He completed undergraduate studies at Temple University in 1956. After receiving his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1960, he was commissioned in the United States Navy where he served in the Medical Corps as a Lieutenant. 
Following his service, Dr. Fomalont was a founding physician of Princeton-Nassau Pediatrics in Princeton, NJ. He remained with this growing medical practice his entire career, caring first for thousands of children and then for their children a generation later. He was loved by his patients and their parents – sharing a smile, or a joke, and often wearing a brightly colored tie that told the kids he was there for them. Dr. Fomalont became a pioneer in the emerging specialties of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning disabilities and helped countless children address these previously unmet medical needs. In 2004 he retired to a new home in Cranbury, NJ.
Dr. Fomalont lived a full life filled with love together with his wife and high school sweetheart, Bobbi (nee Narish), until she predeceased him in 2016. They traveled to Africa, went on cruises, and thought Paris was the most romantic city in the world. You could often find them enjoying a fine meal and a Broadway show, opera, or ballet in NYC, or dining in and around Princeton before attending a performance at the Arts at McCarter Theater. Being an avid reader, his home was filled with stacks of newspapers, magazines, medical journals, and books of all genres. Dr. Fomalont was also involved with CWW and The Old Guard of Princeton, NJ for many years. For decades after retiring, Dr. Fomalont was often approached in public venues by former patients, friends, and acquaintances who were thrilled to see him and to remember and thank him for how he had cared for them.
Dr. Fomalont thrived being surrounded by family. After marrying Bobbi in 1975, their blended family included eight children; Michael Fomalont, Joel Fomalont, Susan (Tom) Fomalont Sloan, Bud (Sindey) Dranoff, Sue Sabogal, Dede (Peter) Horowicz, Lisa (Michael) Connors, and Judi (Harvey) Malove. Along with their spouses and 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Dr. Fomalont’s “immediate’ family included 35 people.
He will be greatly missed. Due to Covid-19 considerations services are private. Charitable donations in the memory of Dr. Fomalont are requested to be sent to McCarter Theater Center (https://www.mccarter.org/donate).
Everyone at Princeton Nassau Pediatrics expresses their deepest condolences on the loss of Dr. Fomalont. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him, his memory will forever be a blessing. He was a towering presence in our office, mixing his wonderful sense of humor with his endless compassion for his patients and everyone around him. We all benefited from being able to work with him and learn from him, and we wish his family our deepest condolences during this difficult time. Please know that we all miss him greatly and feel your loss today. Our love, prayers, and thoughts are with you as we remember Dr. Fomalont and all he did for all of us and his patients at PNP.
I am saddened to hear this news. Never was there a more wonderful and kinder man. As a doctor, he was so compassionate and his patients loved him! I worked with him at PNP for many years. Every day I came into the office I use to look forward to hearing his jokes. He brightened the office and will always be remembered.
Bob as he was known in the office was a great pediatrician and even better person. I learned much from him in the 18 years we worked together. I fondly remember sitting in my office which was next to his (in the old Princeton office) and listening to him talk to patients and families. He was always calm and reassuring. His patients adored him and he very respected by his peers. Remember the stories of how in the old days he was sometimes paid with chickens or eggs. My wife, Mary Ann and I would like to express our deep condolences to his family. I’m sure he will be missed by all that loved him
What a wonderful doctor! May he rest in peace..Condolences to his entire family..
So many years ago my sisters and I were pediatric patients of Doctors Fomalont and Lewis. Our hearts go out to your family. May you find peace in the wonderful memories you have of him.
So sorry for your loss Susan. I know how much you and your family loved your Dad.
Dr. Karen Fanta Zumbrunn says:
Dr. Fomolont was pediatrician for our two children. He was outstanding-a brilliant diagnostician and overall fine doctor-with a good sense of humor. He was calm and reassuring. He had a gift of knowing how to interact with children and young teens. Thank you Dr. Fomolont. Our sympathy to the family.
I only have the fondest memories of Bob Fomalont and of course, Bobbie. They lived across the street from my family on Poe Road for many years. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know you will keep his memory in your hearts.
Bob was one of the first doctors to greet us when we arrived in the area over 50 years ago.
We remained friends through all the changes in our lives, including his name.
We have fond memories of our evenings, laughing at the jokes and stories he and Bobbi would tell.
The wonderful dinners and desserts weren’t bad either.
Bobbi and Rob had a beautiful marriage and adored their family.
It is a tribute to them that the whole family took part in caring for them with so much love when they needed it.
We have all lost a man whose memory we will cherish.
Jules and Marsha Richter
Bob and I practiced for many years at PNP . I learned allot about the art of practice by watching him interact with patients with warmth and understanding. He was fun to be around and made life enjoyable with his wit and spicy jokes. Marte and I would like to express our sympathy to Bob’s family. We will miss him .
So sorry to hear about our dear friend Bob. Our friendship began in our medical school days. I used to pick him up every day in West Phila. to get to Hahnemann. He was an usher at our wedding 64 years ago. We last saw him about 1-2 years ago when we drove to Cranberry to take him to downtown Princeton for lunch. Please accept our sympathies at this time.
Dr. Fomalont was like the grandfather my kids never had. We all loved him because he was so warm and down to Earth. He always had a silly joke – “If you’re American when you go in the bathroom and American when you come out of the bathroom, what are you when you are IN the bathroom? – You’re a peein”! The last day we saw him before he retired my two year old gave him a hug and started to cry. He gave me a hug and said “You were never on my list”. Dr. Fomalont was a great doctor and wonderful person. We will always remember him. Our deepest sympathy to your family.