Dr. Robert W. Dorrance Jr., age 82 passed away on Wednesday morning April 26, 2017 in Homelife at Folts, Herkimer. He had the comfort and support of his loving family by his side. Bob was born on June 7, 1934 in Peterboro, son of the late Robert W. and Alice L. Gerbig Dorrance. He was raised in Cazenovia and was a graduate on Cazenovia Central High School. He furthered his education at Cornell University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He then went on earn two Master’s of Science degrees the first at Syracuse University and the second at SUNY at Albany, where he also received his doctorate in Education.
On June 29, 1957 he was united in marriage to the former Catherine Anne Costello in Saint James RC Church in Cazenovia. It was that same year that Bob started teaching at Ockawamick Central School in Philmont where he taught sciences and agriculture; he then moved to teach at Cazenovia High School and Colgate University.
He next began a rewarding career at Herkimer County Community College. He was recognized by the college in 2009 as a Torchbearer, which signified his many contributions and accomplishments as one of the founding faculty members and served as the first Chair of the Mathematics and Science Division. He was the first faculty member at HCCC to win the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He introduced cross country skiing to the college and coached an All-American. He was one of the first to document the importance of Experiental learning and designed and built the College’s Nature Center, ski trails and Natural History Museum. From 1983 to 1987 during the summers, he continued to teach in outdoor settings as the Director of the National Audubon Ecology Camp in Greenwich, CT and from 1988 to 1991 at Hog Island Audubon Camp. In 2000 he retired from Herkimer County Community College as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Dorrance had a strong belief in God and was a member of Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer where he served on the church Finance Committee and headed the committee during the building of the church hall. While in Cazenovia he was instrumental in organizing the Cazenovia Jay-Cees and the Pop Warner Football League. He was a Charter member of the Herkimer Chapter of the Audubon Society and led many hiking trips as a member of the Mohawk Valley Alpines. He served on the Herkimer Library Board of Trustees was a member of the AGR Fraternity at Cornell. To all who knew Bob, they will never forget a soft spoken, kind and intelligent man who always had time for others. He will always be remembered for his true sense of community, faith and foster educated. He will truly be missed
He is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-nine years, Catherine, three daughters and their husbands, Anne Dorrance and Thomas Tierney of Wooster, OH, Laurie Warshofsky and Mark of Chappaqua, Jean Berkerle and Matt of Pearl River, eight grandchildren, Hannah Tierney and husband David Glick, Forrest Tierney, Megan, Emma and Sarah Warshofsky, Patrick, Daniel and Catherine Beckerle, three brothers and their wives, John Dorrance and Linda, Donald Dorrance and Gaynell all of Cazenovia, David Dorrance and Sherrie of Eaton, a sister, Susan Freeborn and her husband Barney of Woodstock, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, George Dorrance.
Calling hours for Dr. Dorrance will be on Friday (today) from 4 until 7 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer with the Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor officiating. Interment will follow in Saint James Cemetery, Cazenovia.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Herkimer College Foundation for a scholarship to be established in the name of Dr. Robert Dorrance or the Alzheimer’s Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
