In loving memory of Robert Irving Lust - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Robert Irving Lust of Ft. Myers Florida born April 21, 1942 in Brooklyn New York to Jack Lust and Kate Schmelowitz. He was a New Yorker through and through. His work as an electrician in New York literally brought him to the pinnacle of New York City, the needle of the empire state building, a story he loved to tell. He eventually relocated to Florida, a place he loved, and remained there until his last breath. He was a pure man who loved simple things like good food, music, vacations, swimming, flea markets, bicycling and word games. He also had a longlasting love for the state of Vermont and the overwhelming natural beauty that it provided. But he also understood the value of hard work and never stopped working in different ways throughout his life to feed his entrepreneurial spirit. This included founding flea markets to owning a collection of retail stores called “Kisses” which exemplifies the message he’d like to put forth to the world.

He was a good man who loved the idealism of Politics and fought for just causes that he believed in throughout his days, even as he injured himself during the most recent election he did all he could to raise awareness from his armchair which he referred to as “recliner” politics. He gained this political spirit from his mother Kate who in New York fought for many social causes and he continued this tradition throughout his life as he really believed in the value of raising collective consciousness and the value of political freedom.

He also loved people, all kinds of people from all walks of life. His heart and mind were open to all and he treated everyone with respect. He always had some good natured story or joke to share with anyone he came into contact with and sometimes he might tell one joke too many but all in the spirit of laughter. This spoke to his outlook on life which was always positive, even when life’s journey had it’s particular ups and downs. To Robert, tomorrow was always another day.

He loved his family and friends most. He is survived by his wife Helen who he loved with all his heart. He described her as the love of his life. His daughter Korrine Lust-Babcok was so important to him – he always thought about her as his little girl and how he could protect her from life’s challenges. They were best friends through and through and could make each other laugh and cry. Robert loved his son Jason Lust and was really proud of his career choice to make movies for children and families. But more than the movies, the grandchildren and family Jason went on to produce. His fatherly advice was to “approach everything in life with moderation” which is a lesson that Jason is still trying to fully observe.

Robert, later in life, was so grateful to become part of another extended family, the Ketchums. Chance, was his grandson who he worshipped as his “best buddy” and loved watching him grow up. Lisa Ketchum, his beloved stepdaughter, who he cherished, shared a particular expression with him “I love you, No I love you more” and so it went, on and on. Liberty Mason his step-granddaughter, shared another expression with Robert, they would greet each other, Hi “E” and Hi “Aw” and together that formed “E-AW!” Then of course Robert admired and loved his son in law, Kevin Ketchum, who was his “big guy.”

Leonard Lust (deceased) was Robert’s big brother. They grew up on the streets of Brooklyn, became electricians together, and played endless virtual word games to the very end. Lenny’s wife Josie and their daughter, Katrina and sons Stephan and Lennny Jr., were part of Robert’s heart and family too.

His longtime friend of 43 years Rich Spagnola was someone he loved and respected and Robert was immensely grateful for their connection in life and how they’re friendship endured the test of time.

Robert is further survived by a long list of other dear family members and friends: ●Kim and Steve Matthews ●Amber and Denis Stevenson ●Eugene and Amanda Smith ●Cortney Harst and Rick Brobst ●Andrea Harst and Jesse Jackson ●Aliya Matthews ●Nathan Matthews ●Leslie Houser ●Kalya Lake ●Blake Steenson ●Cody Smith ●Graysen Smith ●Pamela Smith ●Marquis Davis ●Rylee Davis ●Brayden Jackson ●Colton Jackson ●Ryder Brobst ●Kolin Wilson ●Alik Houser

Robert always stated that he had a very good life and he was very grateful. The words of one of his favorite musicians, Cat Stevens, sums up Robert’s journey and his life’s path pretty well:

●“If you want to sing out, sing out and if you want to be free, be free, cause there’s a million ways to be, you know that there are”

For ultimately Robert Lust was a force in life and he will be missed dearly and remembered forever, and again Cat Steven’s words ring true:

●“I listen to the wind, the wind of my soul, where I end up, well, i think only God really knows”

The family will be present 2:00-4:00 pm Monday, March 15th at Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, 4320 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, where a service will follow at 4:00 pm.