Robert Barnett Binswanger ’52

Robert Barnett Binswanger ’52, a teacher, educational advocate, and civic steward for more than six decades, passed away March 16 in Hanover. Robert was a graduate of Deerfield Academy in 1948, and at Dartmouth was a government major, a member of Psi Upsilon and Casque & Gauntlet, and a lacrosse player. Robert began his career in the Philadelphia real estate business founded by his father, but quickly realized his path lay elsewhere. Under the guidance of Frank Boyden, longtime headmaster of Deerfield Academy, Robert began his teaching and coaching career at Deerfield. He was encouraged by Boyden to earn a master’s and doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Robert was a teacher to students in many venues between 1955 and 2015, including Deerfield, the Peace Corps (where he was one of the first training officers), the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the University of Maine, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Boston Latin Academy, Hampton University, and Dartmouth. Robert was a builder of educational institutions, an engineer of systems change, and a social entrepreneur before there was a label for such practitioners. He was a proud Jew who helped build—and taught in—two synagogue communities. Robert and his wife, Penny, were married for more than 50 years. Robert enjoyed Penny’s company, wry humor, and efforts to check his more exuberant impulses until her passing in 2017. He is survived by sons Ben, Josh, and Morgan; daughters-in-law Karen and Kim; grandchildren Lucy, Colin, Sally, Samantha, and Sam; and brothers Frank and John.