Robert Stuart Block

Dr. Robert Stuart Block (known as Bob), age 78, died on February 19, 2026, at the Center for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, Vermont, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. A private celebration of life will take place in the summer.

Bob was an orthopedic surgeon who practiced with Orthopedic & Hand Surgery, PC (later Taconic Orthopedics) in Bennington for over thirty years. Orthopedics was an ideal profession for someone who loved both people and sports. Bob enjoyed getting to know his patients and their family members personally. He was an empathetic and active listener, and his patients knew that Bob would give them his undivided attention for as long as needed to diagnose their injuries and recommend a personalized course of treatment. Bob was thrilled every time he encountered a former patient out and about in Bennington and learned how they were recovering from an accident or injury.

From 1997 to 1998, Bob served as President of the Vermont Medical Society. He continued his service as a Vermont delegate to the American Medical Association for many years. He also was a vocal advocate for health care reform, participating in efforts to establish a single-payer system. He strongly believed in patient autonomy and joined the group Compassion and Choices to advance medical aid in dying legislation in Vermont. He held onto his passion for advancing medicine and science even as he began to struggle with Alzheimer’s, participating in a trial for dementia medication knowing it might not benefit him personally but could help others.

An avid bicyclist, Bob helped to found the Bennington Cycle Club and co-organized the Bennington Tour de Cure to benefit the American Diabetes Association for several years. Most weekends could find him bicycling with friends throughout Bennington County and nearby New York State—if not further afield in Arizona or Italy. When not biking, he would be cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, usually at Prospect Mountain. He enjoyed few things more than sharing his love for the outdoors, teaching his daughters and grandchildren to bike, ski and appreciate the mountains of Vermont.

He also had a passion for food and wine, joining and forming many wine tasting groups in the Bennington area, traveling to Italy and France to meet winemakers, and donating bottles to fundraisers for local nonprofits.

The Block family also belongs to Congregation Beth El in Bennington.

Bob was born in Salamanca, NY, the oldest child of Roland and Marjorie Elizabeth (“Betty”) Block. He attended high school in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Bob received his B.A. in religion from Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the alpine ski team. He was a volunteer interviewer for Dartmouth and, in 2023, he was awarded the Dartmouth College Class of 1968 Give A Rouse award in recognition of his service to the college and his community.

Bob obtained his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. He completed additional medical training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Middlesex Hospital in London, and Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Lora Kaywin Block, of Bennington; his daughters Alexandra Block (Izzet Coskun) of Chicago and Jessa Barnard (Justin Barnard) of Montpelier, VT; his grandchildren Micah, Skyler, Phoebe and Reva; and his sisters, Constance Ball of South Carolina and Jill Bahret of New York. He also leaves behind many close friends and colleagues from his Dartmouth, medical school, medical practice, wine tasting and biking days.

The family wholeheartedly thanks Bob’s loving caregiver, Lori Morse, for her unwavering support, as well as the staff of Bennington CLR and Williamstown Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation for tending to Bob’s needs in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly requested to the Dr. Richard G. Dundas Free Clinic in Bennington (https://gbicsbennington.org/get-involved/donate/) or the Alzheimer’s Association.