Campus News

Susan R. Sherman

UAlbany Mourns the Loss of Susan Sherman

Nationally known gerontologist Susan R. Sherman, 64, died on June 3 of cancer. Until her retirement in 2003, Sherman was a distinguished service professor in the School of Social Welfare and the School of Public Health, as well as a faculty research associate of the University at Albany�s Institute of Gerontology, of which she was a founder and former director. She previously served as dean of the School of Social Welfare, was thesis adviser to about 15 Ph.D. students, and chaired the undergraduate program in social work for five years. She taught at the School of Social Welfare for more than 25 years.

Born in New York City and raised in Chicago, Sherman was the daughter of the late Lester and Louise Roth. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Professor of Mathematics Malcolm J. Sherman; by her children, Michael J. Sherman of Washington, D.C., and Drs. Barbara and David Edelheit of Glastonbury, Conn.; by her sister, mother-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Sherman had served as president and treasurer of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and as president of the New York State Society on Aging. Intergenerational relationships, social and psychological aspects of housing options, adult foster care, and age and gender identity were among her research interests.

Sherman was a Collins Fellow of the University at Albany, and previously served as president of the Phi Beta Kappa chapter. She served on the advisory board of the University�s Center for Jewish Studies, and on the Albany Collegiate Interfaith Center board of directors.

Services at Temple Israel, 600 New Scotland Ave., Albany, will be Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m. Shivah will be observed at her home on Parkwood Street in Guilderland. Calling hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This spring, Sherman established the Susan R. Sherman Endowed Fund for the Internships in Aging Project. Annually, the endowment will provide a partial stipend for a field placement at Albany Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York for a second-year student participating in the school�s Internships in Aging Project (IAP), which prepares MSW professionals for leadership roles in mental health, health, and social services for older persons.

Memorial contributions (all of which can be mailed care of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare) may be made to the Center for Jewish Studies or the Susan Sherman Endowed Fund at the University at Albany. Checks for either fund, payable to The University at Albany Foundation, may be mailed to the School of Social Welfare (RI 120), 135 Western Ave., Albany., N.Y., 12222. Please indicate in the memo section the name of the fund to which your contribution should be directed.