Robert Gustave Ahrens of Bedford, musician, commodities trader, was 74

Robert Gustave Ahrens died Aug. 13 at his home in Bedford. He was 74.

He was born Aug. 27, 1950, to Frances Hoffee Ahrens and William J. Ahrens. He grew up in Nyack, with his older brother, Billy. He attended St. Ann’s School where he played CYO basketball and was an altar boy.

Ahrens attended Albertus Magnus High School where he met his future wife in 10th grade geometry class, Monica Oswald, marrying Dec. 14, 1974. 

Ahrens studied English literature at Columbia University and graduated in 1972.  While there, he formed a blues/rock band with his friends called the Sting Rays. The band played at the West End, the Village Gate and CBGBs.

Ahrens was hired by the New York Cotton Exchange, where his father had worked for many years. He became a clerk and then a commodities trader with seats on the New York Cotton Exchange, the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange, the Comex Exchange and the New York Mercantile Exchange.

He was predeceased by his wife, Monica, his brother, Billy, and his parents, Bill and Frances Ahrens.

Robert is survived by David, Molly (Seth) Hirschel, Gus (Andrea) and Bobby; and five grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Bedford Village on Aug. 20. Interment followed at St. Francis Cemetery in Mount Kisco.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at mskcc.org.