Robert S. Slocum

Robert B. Slocum, age 90, of 92 West Main Street, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 after a brief illness. Robert was born on April 6, 1922 in Brockton, MA, the fifth child and the third son of the late George Weeden Slocum and Florence Alice (Huestis) Slocum. He lived for seven years in Avon, MA and then moved with his parents and four siblings (his sister, Pauline had died in Avon) to Brockton.During the Great Depression of 1929 Robert?s youth was a relatively happy one filled with sports, school and whatever odd jobs one could find in the 1930?s and early 1940?s.

Robert was graduated from Brockton High School in 1940 as war clouds edged closer to the United States. He entered Boston University that same year on a scholarship, but in the spring of 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1942 to1945. Returning to the US from England on the eve of Germany’s surrender, Robert resumed his studies at Boston University, attaining a B.A. in late 1946 and entered graduate school at Columbia University, majoring in European (especially modern German) history and received his M.A. Further study at Boston University led to his realization that a planned career as a teacher/coach was doubtful because of his recurring hearing problems. Deciding to pursue librarianship, Robert first worked as a library assistant at Harvard University’s newly planned Lamont Library and then enrolled in Simmons College School of Library Science, receiving his degree in 1948. Selected for a library internship at the Library of Congress, he left Washington, D.C. after a year to become assistant to the director of the library and library school at Simmons College. From 1952 -1954 Robert was a librarian with the rank of instructor at the University of Illinois Library. It was there he met Christine Stanfield, a fellow librarian; they were married 57 years. In late 1954 he was appointed Associate Catalog Librarian at Cornell University Libraries and continued in that position until retirement in May 1988. At Cornell he trained and revised the work of a large number of librarians and cataloged works in the European languages. During this period he authored Sample Catalog in Forms (three editions) and was chief editor of two editions of the Manual of Cataloging Procedures of the Cornell University Libraries. Other major publications were: Biographical Dictionaries and Related Works, New England in Fiction, 1787-1990; New York State in Fiction (1751-1999) & New York City in Fiction (1751-1930); and Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware & Maryland in Fiction, 1792-2000.

One friendly rival on the football and baseball sandlots was the well liked Rocco Marchegiano, little did we know that he would become Rocky Marciano, undefeated world heavyweight champion boxer.

Robert was graduated from Brockton High School in 1940 as war clouds edged closer to the United States. He entered Boston University that same year on a scholarship, but in the spring of 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1942 to1945. Returning to the US from England on the eve of Germany’s surrender, Robert resumed his studies at Boston University, attaining a B.A. in late 1946 and entered graduate school at Columbia University, majoring in European (especially modern German) history and received his M.A. Further study at Boston University led to his realization that a planned career as a teacher/coach was doubtful because of his recurring hearing problems. Deciding to pursue librarianship, Robert first worked as a library assistant at Harvard University’s newly planned Lamont Library and then enrolled in Simmons College School of Library Science, receiving his degree in 1948. Selected for a library internship at the Library of Congress, he left Washington, D.C. after a year to become assistant to the director of the library and library school at Simmons College. From 1952 -1954 Robert was a librarian with the rank of instructor at the University of Illinois Library. It was there he met Christine Stanfield, a fellow librarian; they were married 57 years. In late 1954 he was appointed Associate Catalog Librarian at Cornell University Libraries and continued in that position until retirement in May 1988. At Cornell he trained and revised the work of a large number of librarians and cataloged works in the European languages. During this period he authored Sample Catalog in Forms (three editions) and was chief editor of two editions of the Manual of Cataloging Procedures of the Cornell University Libraries. Other major publications were: Biographical Dictionaries and Related Works, New England in Fiction, 1787-1990; New York State in Fiction (1751-1999) & New York City in Fiction (1751-1930); and Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware & Maryland in Fiction, 1792-2000.

Despite his New England roots, Robert resided in Dryden, NY, from 1955 until his death. There he briefly volunteered for the Economic Opportunity Corporation and was from its beginnings involved with the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard. As a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden he served as an elder and deacon. For 11 years he joined the Rev. Jack Lewis’s hospital and nursing home visitation group and later was a founding member of Cornell Retiree Volunteering in Service, serving at the Cayuga Heights School and was instrumental in adding the Freeville School to the number of schools in Tompkins County in which Cornell retirees are still offering their supportive presence. As co-chairman for cultural activities on the Town of Dryden Bicentennial Commission Robert secured funding from the Dryden Mutual Insurance Company for the production of the musical drama, Jennie’s Will, about Jennie McGraw and her connection with Cornell University) by Mark Simon and Pamela Monk, prepared an art exhibit featuring; local scenes by area artists and scheduled a concert by the Ithaca Concert Band.

Robert was a 50-year member of the American Historical Association, the American Library Association and the American Association of University Professors. He belonged to the New York State Historical Association, The Town of Dryden Historical Society, was a contributing member of the Smithsonian Association, James Madison’s Montpelier, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Cornell Association of University Emeriti, Charter Member of Common Cause, et al. He was proud to be one of the Founders and supporters of the National History Center in Washington, D.C. Because physical limitations precluded further volunteering outreach (except for the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard) Robert decided that a good portion of his income should go to over 100 local and national charities, educational institutions, etc. This continued throughout his productive years and in retirement.

In 2012 a tribute to Robert’s support (over 50 years) of Boston University was published in Bostonia, the university's alumni magazine. Robert is listed in Who’s Who in America.

Classical music, collecting American and Victorian literature and 54 volumes of the Library of America were avocations. Over the years he was intrigued by silent films and early talking pictures, resulting in a large collection of books on film critics and history.

Robert's wife Christine passed away in October 2010. Surviving are a son, Robert S. Slocum of Dryden; a daughter, Kathryn Slocum (Goodwin) of Dobbs Ferry, NY; son-in-law, Robert Goodwin and grandson Graham Goodwin; brother-in-law, Rev. David O. Stanfield and wife, Helen Lewis of Greensboro, NC; a sister Ann Nolan of Amherst, MA; sister-in-law, Mary Slocum of Holden, nieces and nephews including Judy, David E., Tom and Mary Stanfield, David and Jeffrey Slocum; Deborah Slocum Root of Westport, CT; Roberta Gray of West Yarmouth, MA; Marsha Bachy-Rita of San Francisco; Frances Nolan of Greensboro, NC; Carol Reebenacker of Methuen, MA; Jeanne Salter of Irvine, CA, step brother-in-law, Theodore Harries of Cornwall, NY; step sister-in-law, Ann Harries of West Yarmouth, MA; and many grandnieces (especially Christine Gray-Mullen of Amherst, MA and many grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southworth Library, P.O. Box 45, Dryden, NY 13053-0045; The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, P.O. Box 42, Dryden, NY 13053-0042 or the Town of Dryden Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Dryden, NY 13053-0069. Robert requested that there be no calling hours or funeral service. A memorial service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden on Saturday, January 26th at 3 PM. His family will greet attendees at Church after the service. Perkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Robert B. Slocum, age 90, of 92 West Main Street, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 after a brief illness. Robert was born on April 6, 1922 in Brockton, MA, the fifth child and the third son of the late George Weeden Slocum and Florence Alice (Huestis) Slocum. He lived for seven years in Avon, MA and then moved with his parents and four siblings (his sister, Pauline had died in Avon) to Brockton.During the Great Depression of 1929 Robert’s youth was a relatively happy one filled with sports, school and whatever odd jobs one could find in the 1930’s and early 1940’s.