Notes for: Robert T. LaLonde
From info at Find A Grave:
Robert T. LaLonde, age 86, of Syracuse, died peacefully in his home on March 21, 2018. Beloved husband of 48 years of the late Suzanne Denniston LaLonde. Loving father of seven children and their partners: the late Robert J. LaLonde and Laura Skosey; Judith LaLonde and Peter Bodine; Mary LaLonde and Dan Nourie; Jane LaLonde and Steve Bottega; Suzanne LaLonde and Joe Romano; Jerome LaLonde and Melissa Young; and Thomas LaLonde and Julie Zito. Cherished grandfather of 12 grandchildren: Elena, Eve and Julian Skosey-LaLonde; Adam, Daniel and Benjamin Bodine; Luke and Colette Nourie; Marc and Marie Romano; and Kathryn and Alex LaLonde. Loving brother of Alice (Don) Michels of Duluth, MN, Mary (Ed) Oberg of St. Paul, MN and the late Ann (Matt) Malikowski of Dekalb, IL. Bob was born and grew up in Bemidji, MN.
He received a bachelor's degree from St. John's University (Collegeville, MN) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he also met his wife Suzanne. He enjoyed a long career as Professor of Chemistry at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, where he taught Organic Chemistry for 43 years and mentored numerous students in the laboratory who themselves became future chemists. Bob's research started in physical organic chemistry, but he shifted focus in the 1970's to natural products of medicinal value. His groundbreaking work on the anticancer alkaloids of water lilies is still cited in prestigious scientific journals. His research resulted in patents for the use of natural products in drugs to control cancer and fungal diseases. Bob and Suzanne were active, long-time parishioners of St. Andrew the Apostle Church, in Syracuse. An avid ice skater into his early eighties, Bob also loved spending time with his large family, taking walks in the woods, and watching ice hockey. When his health began to fail, Bob was lovingly cared for by his son, Jerome. The family will hold a memorial service to honor Bob's life later this spring.
Memorial donations may be directed to ESF College Foundation, 1 Forestry Drive, 214 Bray Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210 or to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. at http://hospicecareinc.org/donate/donate-online/
Date of Death: March 21, 2018
-Published in the Syracuse Post Standard from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15, 2018