Obituary of Robert P. Anderson

Robert Palmer Anderson, 83, of Fayetteville, NY passed away on April 9, 2025 at Upstate University Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 6, 1942 in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late Sherman M. Anderson and Eleanor Palmer Anderson. He grew up in the Eastwood section of Syracuse and graduated from Eastwood High School. He received three college degrees from Syracuse University-a bachelor’s degree in math and a minor in organ, a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in educational administration. 
He worked as a high school math teacher for seven years at Syracuse Technical High School and nine years at Jamesville DeWitt High School. He worked 18 years as a school administrator at Jamesville-DeWitt Central Schools, serving as Middle School Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools. 
After retiring from Jamesville-DeWitt, he worked at LeMoyne College as an assistant professor serving as Interim Chair of the Education Department, Interim Director of Graduate Education Programs, Interim Associate Provost and Director of Educational Leadership Programs. After retiring, from full-time employment, he continued to teach as an adjunct professor. 
Music has always been an important part of Bob’s life. He served as organist at James Street United Methodist Church for almost 60 years. Since 2016, he has been organist and choir director at Jamesville Community Church. He has been active in the American Guild of Organists, serving as Dean of the Syracuse Chapter and New Your State chairman. 
Bob has been a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, serving in many leadership roles in the local church and at the district level on the committee on ordained ministry. For over 20 years he was a volunteer tutor for the Time to Climb tutoring program, which was founded by the James Street United Methodist church, for third and fourth graders from Huntington School.
Bob was a founding member of the Syracuse Sunrise Rotary Club in which he held many offices. When the club celebrated its 40 th. anniversary last June, he was the only remaining charter member. He also served as a trustee of the St. Camillus Foundation and trustee of St. Camillus from 1996 to 2017.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Sherman and Eleanor Anderson and his sister, Barbara. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jeanne, and their two children Cynthia (Chad) Jaconski of Manlius and Bradley (Keri) Anderson of Fairport and four grandchildren Chase and Colton Jaconski and Katherine and Henry Anderson. 
The family would like to thank the staff on 9E at Upstate University Hospital for the excellent care he received while a patient there. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 14 at 2:00 PM at Jamesville Community Church 6300 E. Seneca Turnpike Jamesville, NY. 
Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the church or the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at St. Camillus Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 813 Fay Road Syracuse, NY 13219.
Online condolences, www.shepardsonfh.com.