Black, Robert William

Robert William Black, 61, of Solon, died at home Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Visitation will be held at Brosh Chapel in Solon on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held at Cornell College King Chapel on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, with Bob's favorite music being played beginning at 2 p.m. with the service to follow at 2:30 p.m., with Chaplain Catherine Quehl-Engle presiding. A family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Peterson; his daughters, Carmen and Maja; his sister, Mimi (Fred) Stroh of Cedar Rapids; his brother, Bill (Maria Blanco) Black of Ames; his aunt, Virginia Black of Cedar Rapids; and his close nephews, Chris Stroh of Los Angeles, Tim Stroh of Melbourne and Bryan Stroh of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Rita Black.

He graduated from Washington High School in 1967, from Lawrence University in Wisconsin with a B.A. in biology in 1971, and from State University of New York at Stoneybrook with a Ph.D. in ecology in 1980. He and Susan were married in June 1986 in Minnesota. He worked at Cornell College from 1987-2010 where he taught biology, conducted research with students studying migrating hawks and Ornate Box Turtles, and assisted in coaching the men's basketball team. He loved telling stories and cooking food with family and friends. He had a lifelong passion for fishing, hunting, canoeing and other outdoor activities and felt deeply rewarded by teaching, advising and coaching at Cornell.

Memorials may be directed to the Cornell College Wilderness Term or to MDA-ALS Division.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published Jan. 15, 2012 in The Gazette