Robert "Bob" Kurlander

1933 - 2010

Robert ("Bob") Kurlander, age 77, resident of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully on November 11th, 2010. Bob was born on March 5th, 1933, in Paterson, NJ and moved to Brooklyn, NY during early childhood. He attended Brooklyn Technical high school and Brooklyn College. He served two years in the army, stationed in Korea. Bob had a first career as a Foreign Service Officer including significant time in Burma with a two year stint as the Vice Consul in Mandalay. His second career brought him to Ithaca beginning with doctoral work at Cornell University and followed by 27 years as a professor in the Politics Department at Ithaca College. He was a passionate teacher to several generations of students and also served the college with multiple terms as department chair. Liberal, feminist, ACLU member, and advocate for social justice, Bob protested the Vietnam War, supported equal rights for women, and spoke out strongly against human rights violations. He was a dedicated Planned Parenthood volunteer and long-term board member. He was a lover of sports and jazz. Above all he loved his family. Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Reisbord; children, Gabrielle (Fred), Jonathan (Rebecca), and Diana (Ray); stepsons, Francois (Yvonne) and Philip (Joanna); and nine grand children. He is also survived by his mother, Rose; sister, Carol (Philip); and brother, George (Harriet). A memorial service will be held in Philadelphia this coming spring. Contributions in his memory may be made to Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes, the National Parkinson Foundation, or the International Rescue Committee.