Robert A. DiSibio Sr.

Oct. 28, 1943 – May 13, 2019

Robert A. DiSibio Sr., a professor and administrator at D'Youville College and Medaille College, died May 13 in Wilmington, Del., after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 75.

Born in Canonsburg, Pa., Robert Anthony DiSibio earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from California, Pa., State College, now California University of Pennsylvania, and met his wife, Marie Thomas, in a math class there. They were married in 1969.

He went on to complete has master's degree at California State College and received a doctorate in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1973.

Dr. DiSibio taught at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, King College and Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia before coming to D'Youville College in 1983, where he became chairman of the college's Division of Education and later was acting vice president of academic affairs.

He served as executive director of the Society of Educators and Scholars when it relocated from Bellarmine College in Louisville, Ky., to D'Youville in 1989.

In 1991, he received an Outstanding Teacher Educator Award from the Confederated Organizations for Teacher Education in New York State. In 1996, he was appointed dean of D'Youville's new School of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies.

Dr. DiSibio moved to Medaille College in 2003, serving as director of the Canadian Teacher Education Program, director of Graduate Programs and associate dean for enrollment management at the School of Adult and Graduate Education. He retired in 2012.

Devoted to his faith, he was active in St. John Maron Catholic Church, where he was president of the Holy Name Society for five years. He was co-founder of the St. John Maron Scholarship for college students, led the development of the annual summer fundraising festival and was a frequent lector.

In 2018, he was inducted into the Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the five orders of knighthood in the Catholic Church, for service to his church and community.

He was an avid card player, enjoyed movies and was a Buffalo and Pittsburgh sports fan. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife.

He and his wife moved from Amherst to Wilmington in 2016 to be closer to their son, Robert Jr., and two granddaughters.

Survivors also include a sister, Carol DiSibio Terry and a brother, Russell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John Maron Church, 2040 Wehrle Drive, Amherst.