Robert “Bobby” Stansberry, age 70, Branson, Missouri

Robert “Bobby” Stansberry, 70, passed peacefully into eternity at home April 29, 2023. Born March 15, 1953, in Queens, NY, to Robert and June (Richter) Stansberry, he was a lifelong resident of Toms River, NJ. Upon his retirement, he joined his sister Linda in Branson, MO in 2018.

Bobby embraced his Roman Catholic faith with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. A simple man, he embraced the philosophy and concepts of minimalist living most of his life, (even before it became popular), where the distractions of wealth and possessions were not important to him. He preferred to concentrate on the freedom of life that he considered more precious and worthy. He was a respected and well-regarded harness horse trainer and driver. He had many victories at Freehold Raceway, Freehold, NJ; Saratoga Harness Racing, Saratoga, NY, and Dover Downs, Dover, DE. His family especially celebrated his wins with “Mighty Linda,” named after his sister and “Mighty Dana,” named after his niece. As a very young boy, his father purchased him a Shetland pony and hitched it up to a makeshift cart, thus his love of racing began. Bobby was an avid reader, outdoorsman, and nature lover. He enjoyed in-depth study of all creatures both great and small. Fishing was one of his passions, but true to his respect for wildlife, he practiced ‘catch and release’. His nephews cherished the times “Uncle Bobby” would teach them survival skills in the wooded areas and mountains of Pennsylvania. Other favorite times with their uncle included ‘movie watching marathons,’ where they cultivated a lasting appreciation of the silver screen and prompted lifelong challenge competitions of Movie Trivia.

Bobby is survived by his brother, Jim Stansberry, Hightstown, NJ, and sister, Linda Altieri, Branson, MO; nieces Dana Germano, (husband, Corey), Toms River, and Maureen Ryan, Dover, Delaware; nephews, Brendan Altieri, (wife, Samantha Arminio Altieri), Toms River, Joseph Stansberry, Egg Harbor, NJ, and Michael Ryan, Philadelphia, PA. and great nephew Corey V. Germano, Toms River. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Patrick J. Ryan, Dover, Delaware.

Bobby is predeceased in death by his parents, Robert and June Stansberry; his sister, Cheryl Ryan Pawson, Branson, MO; nephews, Brendan Patrick Ryan, Arcata, CA, and Brian J. Altieri, Branson; great nephew Devin C. Germano, Toms River, and brother-in-law, Ray Pawson. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.