Robert W. "Bill" English Jr.

Robert “Bill” W. English, Jr., 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at his home in Tallahassee.

He was born in Carbondale, Illinois on December 22, 1940 to Margaret Smith English and Robert W. English, Sr. He grew up in Carbondale and Winnetka, Illinois. He graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, in 1959. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Psychology at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Il in 1963; earned his Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at SIU in 1965; and earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Behavioral Studies in 1968 from the University of Wisconsin. He was a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education at Syracuse University (1968-1975) in Syracuse, NY. He was Director of Training at the Research and Training Center in Mental Retardation at the University of Oregon (1975-1988) and a Professor at Florida State University in the Department of Human Services and Leisure Studies (1988-December, 2008).

Bill met his wife, Norma, while attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. They were married on September 2, 1962 in Elgin, Illinois. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two children and 3 grandchildren.

Bill was a “people person” – a gardener of people, nurturing all he met with genuine caring, listening, support and wisdom. He understood people and provided the encouragement necessary for them to be at their best. He was a trusted friend, reliable, dependable, and generous with his time and attention. Bill had a lifelong love of Racket Ball and played religiously for over 50 years. He was an exceptional educator, a guide and mentor to each of his students as they faced both personal and educational challenges. Most importantly, he was a devoted family man who loved his family beyond measure. Bill was so proud of, and completely charmed by, his grandchildren, and enjoyed cheering them on in all of their pursuits and their many activities. Bill was a member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Pet Partners Program, Faith Presbyterian Church, the Big Bend Filipino American Association and a volunteer with the Big Bend Hospice Program.

Bill was predeceased by his father, Robert W. English, Sr. and his mother, Margaret Smith English.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Mamenta English; his daughter, Rebecca English-Ross ( Dennis) and their 10 year old son, Jesse, of Eugene Oregon; his son, Robert Anthony English ( Julie Ciampi) and their two daughters, Lydia (13) and Ella (11) of Hillsborough, N.C.; sister, Barbara English Maris (David Willoughby) of Elizabethtown, PA; two nieces, Elizabeth Maris Baum (Howard) and their two children Sarah (11) and Abigail (9) of New York City; and niece Catherine Maris (David Reiner) Chapel Hill, N.C.

A “Gathering of Family and Friends” will be held at Culley’s Riggins Road Chapel on Monday (October 1, 2012) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with refreshments and light fare. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. from Faith Presbyterian Church 2200 N. Meridian Rd.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to:

1) LUNA COLLEGES

Attn: Linda Mamenta Ramos, President

3406 E. 17th Ave.

Anchorage, AK 99508

(907) 272-5357

Luna Colleges has been owned by Norma Mamenta English’s family since 1934. Seminars were given by Bill to the faculty and students during his 2 visits to Tayug, Pangasinan, Philippines in 2009 and 20011

2) Faith Presbyterian Church

2200 N. Meridian Rd.

Tallahassee, FL 32303

385-6151

3) Pace School

3413 Zillah St.

Tallahassee, FL 32314

488-8927

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Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.