Condolence From: Sorrell Chesin
Condolence: He was a modest man, cordial and with a good sense of humor. I met him many years ago through his dear companion, Shirley Smith Phillips, who was a UAlbany alumna. They returned to Albany for several weeks each year during the warm weather, traveled widely and eventually returned home to Florida.
During his visits, he would see friends and his former colleagues from the State Department of Transportation and was patient with me as I tried to understand the technology of how bridges were built and why they erode.
They visited the UAlbany campus, met students and faculty at various events and, I believe, with Shirley’s encouragement, he became interested in doing something to encourage students to broaden their collegiate experience. He, generously, established the Robert Moyer Research Fund which provides awards to students undertaking research under the mentorship of faculty. Since then, the Undergraduate Student Research Program at the University has grown substantially. To honor his philanthropy, he was named to the University’s Heritage Circle Society and will be remembered in perpetuity.
Sorrell Chesin, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President Emeritus
SUNY at Albany
Monday May 14, 2018
