Robert James Sherman

Robert James ("Bob") Sherman, age 85, of Saint Paul MN, passed away on October 3, 2025.
He is survived by his wife Barbara (Powell) Sherman; his son Ted Sherman (Renee); sister Jane, and grandchildren Maxwell Sherman and Eleanor Sherman. A graduate of Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he received his doctorate in Botany from Oregon State University.
In 1970, he began what would become a 24-year career in teaching and administration at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA, from which he retired as the Dean of Natural Sciences. During his time at Sonoma State, he published a number of articles in academic journals, was a frequent guest lecturer and public speaker on fire ecology and worked closely with the California Department of Forestry on management of control burning programs. Bob served as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol and along with Barbara was a member of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of California.
Upon their retirement, Bob and Barbara moved to Sisters, Oregon, where Bob was an active volunteer in the Cloverdale Fire Department and Sisters Habitat for Humanity. Bob also performed ongoing consulting work for the US Forest Service, which recognized him in 1997 for his groundbreaking work in mapping the fire history of the Deschutes National Forest.
In 2002, Bob and Barbara moved to Minnesota to be close to their grandchildren. Bob continued his tradition of volunteerism and service, with the Lake Elmo Fire Department, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, the Germanic-American Institute of Minnesota, Saint Paul's United Church of Christ, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Bob loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. He seized any opportunity to debate philosophical questions great and small with his daughter-in-law Renee. Bob put in countless hours overseeing the renovation of Ted and Renee's historic home in Saint Paul's Highland Park neighborhood. He was a devoted husband to his wife of over 60 years Barbara and a great father to his son Ted. He will be sorely missed by many.
A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held at 3PM on October 19, at Saint Paul's United Church of Christ, 900 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul.