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Robert Testa Obituary
Robert Testa, 69, and Karen Marie (Aus) Testa, 71, died on April 13, 2017 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident northwest of their home in Phoenix, Arizona.
Robert was born December 26, 1947 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Joseph and Sylvia Testa. Shortly after graduating from J. M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford, CT, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota, and Phan Rang AB in Vietnam. Karen was born on November 10, 1945 in Minot, ND to Perry and Thyra Aus. After graduating from Minot High School she attended Minot State College. While Robert was stationed at Minot AFB, he met Karen and they were married on September 10, 1968, starting a journey together that lasted almost 49 years. After settling in Norwalk, CT, Robert became a general contractor, responsible for many projects in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, while Karen was active in the community and tended the needs of their home and children.
Robert and Karen filled their lives with a love for travel, and pictures from across the globe attest to their adventurous spirits, making lifelong friends wherever they went. Laughter was something they shared with everyone, and spending time with Robert and Karen was always a joy. They were wonderful hosts; Karen loved to entertain family and friends while Robert was the entertainment. Both longtime members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Norwalk, CT, Robert and Karen also supported a variety of charities and causes that included St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, for which a memorial fund has been established in their honor.
They are survived by Robert's son, Gary (Valerie) Testa and their children, Alex, Juliana and Isabella Testa, and their sons, Robert Joseph Testa and Jeffrey (Jessica) Testa and their children, Abigail, Nathaniel and Caleigh Testa; Robert's sisters, Janet Dobson, Jo Ann (Gene) Dzilinski and Ann Marie Ciaccio; Karen's sister, Dolores (William) Kienel and brother, Phil Aus, along with several of Robert's aunts and uncles and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
They were a remarkable couple, it is hard to imagine one without the other, and it seems God understood that as well, though the world is now darker without two of its brightest lights. They have left us all with many great memories and wonderful stories, and they will always have a place in our hearts.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Norwich Lutheran Church in Norwich, ND on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
Interment: Norwich Lutheran Cemetery, rural Norwich.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, April 28, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Testa
abby
April 2, 2023
i miss you a lot, ive been thinking about you guys a lot, and i know that you two would be so proud of where ive gotten now
svein nilsen
April 21, 2020
I still think about Karen and Robert, specially when I visited Phoenix back in 2018, had hoped to have been able to meet them. It is now almost 2 years (may 30) since my wife Unn passed away. We were both good friends to them and also her sister in law Clarice which I understand passed away just few weeks before Unn. All four of us was members of Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd in Norwalk, I live now in Conway, SC. I was able to meet with Karen's sister Dolores and her family in June 2019 in Ketchikan, Alaska.
svein nilsen
April 21, 2019
I had hoped to visit Karen and Bob one day in Phoenix since this nwas one of the states I had never been to.
I made it there in 2018, spent Christmas in Phoenx on my way to Arizona/Nevada and California.
I did nor spend Christmas/New Year at home since my wife Unn had passed away on 30 May 2018 and New Year Eve would have been our 53 anniversary. I have now been to all lower 48 states and heading for Alaska in June on a cruise, I am trying to get hold of Dolores, Karens sister since the vessel will call that city but have not succeeded yet.
January 16, 2018
God, I miss you both so much. I hurt everytime i think about it.
Unn & Svein nilsen
May 18, 2017
To the Testa and Aus family. it is with a lot of sorrow that we just learned about the death of Karen and Robert, we learned same when visiting friends in Norwalk where we used to live and being member of same church as Karen and Robert. (We live now in Conway SC). We also met Karens sister and her sister in law while visiting Minot ND.
Michael Torre
May 9, 2017
Still cannot believe this has happened. Spending a great deal of time recalling the lunches, dinners and design meetings with Bob. Always first class entertainment. Infinite stories from Bob that would lift up your day.
God Bless Them
Renee Denner
May 2, 2017
The Testa family, the obituary says it all. This world is missing two stars. I am so sorry for your pain. I will keep you all in my prayers.
rosalie reynolds
May 1, 2017
sorry for your lost i was born in raise in norwalk praying for the family.
Masi
May 1, 2017
Dear Testa and Aus Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Robert and Karen. Just know our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this terrible unfortunate accident. May Robert and Karen rest in peace together in heaven for eternity.
God's Blessing to you all.
Love,
Tee (Marrucco) Masi and Family
Joyce Jeffery-Ballard
April 29, 2017
Jo Ann & Ann Marie, I am so, so sorry to hear about your loss. May your love & memories help heal your hearts.
Love, Joyce
Bill/Laurie Calvin
April 28, 2017
Dear Anna and famiy
So sorry to hear of your loss.You now have 2 guardian angels watching over you. May they R.I.P.
Diane Saltarelli
April 28, 2017
My condolences to the family especially to Jo Ann Dzilinski who I went to high school with.
Francis Vega
April 27, 2017
We are all going to miss Bod at The Total Salon. Bob touch my heart I called him Grandpa. My heart goes out to the family in this difficult time. Love you Bob.
Debbie Spinola
April 27, 2017
My deepest sympathy to all of you RT and Karen were wonderful people my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time
Liz Reid
April 27, 2017
Growing up with Jeff meant that we were privileged to share times with Bob and Karen. Their genuine laughter, loving hospitality, friendship and love were a huge part of our childhoods and beyond. I will treasure forever all of the many happy moments that we spent together, especially the days and nights at the beach house. God truly has two special angels. Our hearts are shocked and broken. Sending prayers of comfort and much love to Jeff, Bobby, Gary and the entire family.
April 27, 2017
Our hearts are broken. May you all find comfort in the memories. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Cousin David, Maryann and Family
Willa Miley
April 27, 2017
So Sorry JoAnn to you and your family. May they rest in peace.
Gary Testa
April 27, 2017
We'll always cherish the time we had with them, Love you always Gary, Valerie, Alex, Juliana, and Isabella Testa
April 27, 2017
We will always remember Mr. and Mrs. Testa's kindness and that special glowing smile, which was contagious with anyone they came in contact with.
Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Minchik and Staff
Norwalk Ct.
April 27, 2017
We grew up together and raised our sons together and had such wonderful times together.We laughed and cried together. We are heartbroken,and will cherish all the wonderful memories we have shared.Until we meet again....JoAnn and Jimmy
audrey thompson
April 26, 2017
They were the nicest couple and so giving they will be truly missed.
Gale Pennell
April 26, 2017
Robert and Karen will be in our hearts forever. They brought love and joy wherever they went. We were blessed knowing them as they were truly special people on this earth. We are broken hearted to have lost them but know they are in Gods hands.
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