Maria Gloria and Robert John Forman Obituary (1931 - 2023)

Maria Gloria Forman passed away on August 8th, 2022 at Casa de la Luz Hospice Center in Tucson, Arizona. She was 92. She was the wife of Robert John Forman for 68 years. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the youngest daughter of the Guiseppe “Joe” and Teresa (Iacovone) Santillo. ‘Gloria’, as she was known to everyone, worked during the marriage and later after her husband retired, as a clerk and secretary. She was a caring mother to her children. She supported her children though 9 different residential moves in five different states. While her husband was traveling on business she was home. She taught her children to read early, taking them to school, teaching them how to ride bicycles, driving them to school sports events while surviving the typical mini-disasters such as snow storms, flooding and electrical outages. Gloria taught them how to handle these events during their lives with understanding and dignity. She volunteered at local churches during her long marriage and as a ‘purple lady’ at what was then known as Scottsdale Memorial Hospital. She and Bob traveled by car extensively and visited every “brown sign” on the many highways they traveled both for pleasure and while moving the family. This continued with their many friends during their retirement. She loved to read mystery and crime novels, sew, crochet blankets, collect representations of mushrooms, and cook. She was an excellent cook and passed her cooking secrets and skills to her friends and family. She is predeceased by her sister Vilma (Santillo) Mitchell and her son Todd Allen Forman. Robert John Forman passed away on August 18th, 2023 at Brookdale Santa Catalina in Tucson, Arizona. He was 92. He was the husband of Maria Gloria Santillo for 68 years. Born in Battle Creek, Michigan, he was the youngest son of Frank and Julia Faye Isabelle (Senker) Forman. Robert was a Michigan State University graduate, and majored in a new program which was part of the Police Administration Curriculum - Traffic and Transportation Safety. His impact on this industry was diverse: Working for two companies in his career, the National Safety Council and Greyhound Bus Lines, he started with the National Safety Council in 1959 working as a safety engineer in the Commercial Vehicle Section, later working for Greyhound Bus Lines for most of his career. He starting as a corporate director and eventually reached Vice President of Safety over the course of 25 years through Trailways Bus Lines which was purchased by Greyhound Bus Lines. While working for Greyhound he volunteered for many organizations including what is now the American Bus Association, the United Motor Coach Association and other transportation safety organizations. He served 3 years to the US Department of Transportation National Highway Safety Advisory Committee and was appointed by President Ford in 1975. He was later appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to the National Driver Register Advisory Committee as Chairman in 1985 serving three terms. This committee played a key role in the development of the Commercial Driver’s License by requiring additional driver training. This was followed with twenty years as a private safety consultant to the motor coach industry. Robert retired in 2009. He was recognized nationally as an authority in traffic and transportation safety, lecturing at Pennsylvania State University, Michigan State University, University of Arizona, Northwestern University and other institutions throughout the country. He received distinguished awards for leadership, and service from National Safety Council, American Bus Association, California Highway Patrol, United Motor Coach Association and commendation from the Federal Highway Administration. He is predeceased by his sister Olive (Forman) Bishop, his brother Allen and his son Todd Allen Forman. Gloria and Bob are survived by their children Andrea Lee Forman-James, and Robert Joseph Forman along with their grandchildren Nicole Renee Forman and Robert John Forman II. The family would like to acknowledge the quality of care provided at Casa de la Luz Hospice and Brookdale Santa Catalina in Tucson, Arizona. Click this link to view additional details about Robert's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-foreman-2023