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Robert Panara
1920 - 2014
Robert Panara
1920 - 2014
Obituary
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BORN
1920
DIED
2014
Robert Panara Obituary
Longtime friend and colleague Harry Lang says Panara died of natural causes Sunday at the Rochester, New York, nursing home where he lived.
His career included teaching at Gallaudet University and the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was a founder of the school's National Technical Institute for the Deaf. He also was a founder of the National Theater of the Deaf in Connecticut in the 1960s.
When he retired from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in 1987, the college named its theater after him and created a scholarship fund in his honor.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
35 Entries
Bernard Bragg
November 25, 2016
Shelly Gorino
July 31, 2014
John and family,
So sorry to learn of your loss. He was an amazing man. So lucky to have known him!
Tracy Leonard
July 29, 2014
John,
So sorry for your loss...Dr. P was a pleasure and a a treasure to have at Rivers Run! I miss him in the dining room...Heaven is now a much better place!!
How you can show support
AJP
July 29, 2014
My sincere condolences to his family and friends. He lived a long life and yet it was still to short. We all benefit from his hard work. He will be missed but not forgotten -Malachi 3:16
Glenda
July 29, 2014
My deepest sympathy. Please take comfort in the hope found at Hosea 13:14.
A. Hines
July 26, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the family. I know that Mr. Panara will be sadly missed. Please let our Heavenly Father's Word at Isaiah 35:6 comfort you -"At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened,
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped."
July 25, 2014
Please accept my sincere condolences. May the family be comforted by the words at Isaiah 57:15.
Bob Officer
July 24, 2014
Bob is truly an amazing person and I will never forget being in his class. He brought out the best in me and taught me how to overcome anxiety when speaking to the audience. RIP Mr Panara and say hi to Shirley for me.
James 4:8
July 24, 2014
Draw close to God during this time of sorrow.
Cathy Franzosa Norwich
July 24, 2014
Bob was an inspirational to all deaf and hard of hearing students I love the part of his story about meeting Babe Ruth.
My father, 93, won Babe Ruth autograph baseball from a poem contest by fill in the blank. He still has it and its now all banged up by his children. He was glad that they had fun playing with it signed by one of the greatest sports legends of all time.
Now we all deaf and hard of hearing are so glad that we knew you as the most inspirational guy. You will be missed.
My big condolences to your family and friends.
July 24, 2014
Dearest Bob,
Your legacy lives on in so many people and in so many ways. Your love of teaching, your love of your students, your love of life inspired us all. You will be remembered with great love, and I know your Shirley was waiting for you with open arms.
Mary Beth Mothersell
Terri Hayes
July 24, 2014
Amazing guy - I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Panara on several occasions - and got to watch him sign the national anthem at old time baseball a couple years ago (still have the video).... Really nice guy - and I'm glad I had the opportunity. The world will miss him.
July 24, 2014
Sorry for your loss of such a talented man. His work was so appreciated. May loving memories and prayers sustain you at this time.
Susan (Furth) Solomon
July 24, 2014
Sorry, my message didn't appear earlier. I wanted to say that Bob Panara was an inspirational to all deaf and hard of hearing students and the community. He was one of a kind. He is loved by all of us! ??
July 24, 2014
May the beautiful memories of your loved one provide solace and strength to you and your family during this difficult time; and may you also find much comfort and peace from God's promise of life without end in Paradise. ~Matthew 5:5; Ps. 37:11, 29.
DM
July 23, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the Panara family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Our Father in the heavens encourages you to “throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7.
Laura Crowder
July 23, 2014
Dear Panara Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss of your loved one! He was the amazing man we ever known. Your family are in my prayer and May God comfort your sorrow.
Love,
Laura Crowder
Dara Overmoyer
July 23, 2014
I will miss him and his wife , Shirley ! Bless his family . Dara Overmoyer
Rachel Rose
July 23, 2014
I can picture Bob, with Shirley, smiling and shaking hands with Babe Ruth & 'Dummy' Hoy along with many, many others who have gone on before them.
Dr. Panara will be MISSED in our community, especially in the classroom and at the ballpark.
July 23, 2014
Professor Bob Panara -- I'm forever indebted to you for opening the world of poetry, drama and literature for me. You're very much a part of my life. I cherish our memories and our time together. My deep condolences to your family.
Peter Elliott
July 23, 2014
Robert Panara was an inspiration to so many people. He was my first sign language teacher in 1967 at RIT and he inspired me to get my degree in Deaf Education.
Much later, I was involved with the theater program at NTID and can still hear his voice yelling my name after the show and to congratulate and comment on my performance.
His smile radiated joy and permeated any room he entered. He was a sensational educator and he will be missed.
My condolences to John and the family.
David Johnston
July 23, 2014
Bob was my father's literature teacher at Gallaudet in the 1950's My father shared with me a lot of wonderful stories about him. His class was always fully attended all the time. I had Bob's son John as my literature teacher at NTID in the 1980's. I found it an interesting generation.
DS
July 23, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Matthew Moore
July 23, 2014
Dr. Panara, Thank you for your friendship and support for many years. You will be missed.
July 22, 2014
I will never forget the first time I met Bob and he signed the Star Spangled Banner to demonstrate the importance of signing in communicating with the deaf. I had just accepted a position at Rochester School for the Deaf where the RSD fingerspelling was mandatory. Knowing him and working with him and his theatre group was among the most meaningful experiences of my life. I will dearly miss him.
Jacqueline Murray
Herb Larson
July 22, 2014
Bob Panara was one of my Professors back at Gallaudet in the 1950's. He was one of the nicest and most caring teachers even in his younger days, back then. He was one of a kind and he deserved the good long life he lead. He has been honored numerous times during his retirement (and deserved every one of them!). I was one of the fortunate people to receive the Robert F. Panara Award in 1992 and will always cherish this award and the memories of the fun event when I received it! So many of us have benefitted from his presence and his contributions. He will be missed! May he rest in peace.
joy p duskin
July 22, 2014
What a wonderful Man,Teacher and Artist. I knew him from the Theatre Dept. He was so kind and giving to anyone who crossed his path. The wonderful stories he told us & all his performances are legendary. A definite treasure to the Deaf Community. My condolences to his family and friends
Beth Metlay
July 22, 2014
To one of my favorite teacher, I am blessed to know you, RIP and I shall miss you.
Sending prayer for family
July 22, 2014
RIP
Scott Preston
July 22, 2014
For John Panara; Sure wish I had the pleasure of knowing your father, a man who accomplished more than most men do in one hundred lifetimes. Good bet dad is somewhere watching a ballgame with The Babe, tonight.
Karen Kingrey
July 22, 2014
I miss Robert Panara. Have not forget he & Deaf baseball fans continue to fight to get Dummy Hoy to be shrined at Baseball Hall of Fame in Coopertown but didn't get Dummy Hoy there. Hope Deaf baseball fans will carry the legacy of Robert Panara to get Dummy Hoy to be shrined.
Sandra LeBoeuf
July 22, 2014
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Panara. My thoughts and prayers go to his son John; and, other members of his family. Rest in Peace, Dr. Panara.
Colleen Butler
July 22, 2014
He lived a long life helping others. To the family, may you have peace and comfort knowing God cares for you and for Robert.
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