Robert Bob Siudzinski, PhD

Robert Marion Siudzinski, PhD.

1934 - 2016

Robert “Bob” Siudzinski of Loveland, Colorado, formerly of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep, amongst family, on August 20th, 2016 at the age of 82.

Bob was the beloved husband of Joan (Fitzpatrick) Siudzinski with whom he shared fifty-two years of marriage, and the loving father of two children: Jennifer Sardinia of Colorado, and Robert A. Siudzinski of Massachusetts.

Bob was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Marion R. Siudzinski, MD and Valeria (Fialek) Siudzinski. After attending St. Andrew Avellino School and Power Memorial High School, he enrolled in Hofstra College, before taking a leave-of-absence to serve in Europe with the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956. He began his service as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne before shifting to a special photography unit in Munich and Berchtesgaden, Germany.

After three years in Europe, he returned stateside to finish his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hofstra College in NY and, after completing the Intensified Teacher Training Program from Adelphi University, was employed as a teacher at the Village School in the Syosset Public School System (NY). Bob later completed a Master’s of Science in Education from Hofstra and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Arizona State University. He did a Post-Doctorate Fellowship at Harvard University, working with B.F. Skinner on his ground-breaking behavioral research. After the Fellowship, Bob returned to Arizona and worked as a psychologist, and later as the Director of Psychological Services, for the Arizona Children’s Colony, Coolidge, a state residential home for over 1,400 children with significant developmental and cognitive disabilities.

After marrying Joan (a teacher he met through a mutual friend), and shortly after the birth of their first child, Bob moved east to become an Associate Professor and Director of Special Education at Adelphi University in Nassau County, New York from 1966-1972. During those six years, he developed one of the early competency-based graduate programs combining behavioral psychology and practical educational experiences for the day-to-day needs of Special Education teachers. With a desire to live closer to family in Florida, Bob accepted the position of Charter Chairperson of the Special Education Department at the University of North Florida in 1972. Under his leadership, the program was selected by the American Association of College Teachers of Education as one of three Programs of Excellence in the United States. The Florida Association of Teacher Educators also recognized the program as the Outstanding Teacher Preparation Program in 1980-81.

During his tenure at UNF, Bob served as a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis, held memberships in the American Psychological Association and the Council for Exceptional Children, and was a talented evaluator and proposal writer who earned several Health, Education and Welfare Department grants over his three decades at the university. In recognition of his professional achievements he was honored as Professor Emeritus when he retired in 2004, after 32 years at the University.

An author of professional journal articles and co-author of the book, Mega Teaching and Learning: An NLP Approach, Bob taught in public school and university settings, served in several leadership roles, and presented workshops nationally and internationally on five continents. Teaching sabbaticals and Rotary Fellowships allowed immersion experiences for he and his family in England, Poland, China, Holland, and South Africa. A certified teacher of the Enneagram since the early 1990’s, he introduced this powerful model to businesses, educational organizations and individuals nationally and internationally. He remained interested and involved in the Enneagram for the remainder of his life.

Following both of their retirements, Bob & Joan split their time between Florida and Colorado homes, eventually settling in Loveland, Colorado. Through Skillshops, Inc., a consulting and education corporation he founded in the early 1970’s, Bob remained active in education, non-profit, and business communities, helping to develop programs to assist individuals, schools, and business organizations in realizing their potential and overcoming barriers to communication and organizational development.

In addition to his sister Patricia Brisson and her five children, formerly of New York now Kentucky, his loving wife Joan, and his devoted children, Bob is survived by daughter-in-law Meghan Siudzinski, wife of Robert; son-in-law, Michael Sardinia, husband of Jennifer; sister-in-law Arleen Dittmer of Florida; loving nephews Scott Dittmer of Florida and Jason Dittmer of London, England, and four creative, intelligent, and beautiful grandchildren. Though many of his friends have already passed, Bob continued to cherish his remaining friendships with Robert “Sully” Gossette of New York, Paul Ladnier of Florida, and Colin Adam of Cape Town, South Africa.

A world traveler, professional photographer, nationally ranked trap/skeet shooter, surf fisherman, enthusiastic card player, improvisational cook, Rotarian, and collector of strange and wondrous items, Bob’s dynamic curiosity and adventurous spirit epitomized the lifelong learner. He was interested and engaged in the lives of his adult children and grandchildren, spoke with them on the phone weekly, and he and Joan regularly visited and shared in multi-generational family experiences. His hobby days as a “wheeler-dealer” at car boot sales in London, camera shows in Japan, or yard sales in the US, easily transferred (in his later years) to enthusiastic engagement in online auctions. This technology-savvy elder was an early adopter of digital cameras and remained an active learner of new iMac and Smartphone applications right on up until the time of his passing. Ever the collector, Bob’s acquisitions of unique antiques and artwork complimented Joan’s keen talent for artistic decorating in their home. Together, the couple wove an amazing and romantic life of aesthetics, continual learning, and world travel for over half a century.

Bob was a loving, remarkably intelligent, witty, and playful soul. He is greatly missed by his family, friends, and numerous educators and learners alike.

A private family ceremony will be held on Long Island, NY. Family and friends are invited to send memories or condolences to: P.O. Box 375 Hygiene Colorado 80533.

In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts as advertised below, the family would rather receive your fond memories and shared stories on the tribute wall.