John Bligh
- Retired teacher
To those he taught, Robert Maller was known as “Maestro Maller.”
“Bob was highly esteemed by his students,” said longtime colleague and friend Michael Carlo. “And they liked him. He got the best out of his students.”
Fluent in several languages, Robert was a longtime Spanish teacher at Mark Twain IS 239 for the Gifted and Talented before finishing his full-time career as testing coordinator in District 21, both Brooklyn. He retired in 2003 but returned to work per diem at PS 199, also in Brooklyn, from 2006-2007. Robert taught for 35 years and was a UFT member for more than 50 years.
Robert, 74, died of coronavirus on April 24.
“In Spanish, like in Italian, maestro only means master or teacher,” said Carlo, a former chapter leader at Mark Twain. He described Maller as diligent, structured in his approach to teaching and fair in his grading. “He had great discipline in the classroom; he never had to raise his voice.”
Carlo said Maller was “really the scholar, an intellectual,” particularly in his field. “Bob not only had a profound knowledge of Spanish but also the etymology of the words and of comparative grammar, for example, between French, Italian and Spanish. These are the types of things Bob and I would talk about all the time. He loved it.”
In contrast, doing manual things, Carlo recalled, “that would never occur to Bob.”
Courteous and polite, Robert was very much liked by his colleagues. One of them recalls his willingness to help whenever asked and described him as “a man for all seasons; an educator in the truest sense of the word.” While he had a serious demeanor, his levity revealed itself after he knew a person for a while.
Robert loved to travel, particularly to Mexico, and he went there often. Another favorite destination was Spain. He also was talented artistically and was an art historian.
Robert was very observant of his Jewish faith, Carlo said, “strict to the letter.”
He has no known survivors.
Mr. Maller was, by miles, the best teacher I ever had in my entire life. He was my 8th grade Spanish teacher at Mark Twain in 1991. He was hilariously funny in the driest way possible, and the best part was how at least half the kids didn’t get it. He gave us all Spanish translations of our names. I was Jacoba. He didn’t let us get away with not speaking Spanish. I would go to my next class actually thinking in Spanish. I’ve thought of him often over the years, and my heart aches over this loss.
Mr Maller cared about his students and was an extremely nice polite man. At Cunningham JHS 234 in Brooklyn, NY he taught Spanish and made it fun. We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing. ❤️
Mr Maller was my first Spanish teacher in Cunningham he was the sweetest so sorry to hear that he passed away may he rest in peace ❤
Mr Maller taught Spanish at Cunningham Jhs, he would always call one persons name and point at a different person. Sorry to hear of his passing, I remember his class vividly , he was a great teacher.
I remember Robert Maller as my Spanish teacher at Cunningham JHS. He was such a nice guy who made Spanish fun. His class was one of my favorite classes.
Bob mail also taught at is 234 Cunningham Junior High. He was a wonderful teacher but an even more wonderful friend. He loved art I love teaching and the world is a lesser place without him in it
Our prayers to the families of Robert Maller’s on his passing. I taught the instrumental string program @ Mark Twain September 1988-June 1990. I’m not sure if he taught there @ that time. Peace be with you
Sorry to hear about his passing. I’m not sure if he was @ Mark Twain JHS when I replaced Andrew Liotta after he retired from the Instrumental String Program September 1988 – June 1990 We will Prayer for his families
My dear old friend and fellow afficianado of Yiddish Theater and music — you and I were among the few who knew the words to “Chazzendal oif Shabbos!”
Baruch Dayan H’Emeth — Thanks for the Memories !
Bob was a dear friend whose loss has taken my breath away. I taught with Bob and know first hand his extraordinary intellect and hilarious dry humor. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences to the family. I am saddened by the news that another wonderful teacher passed away.