Robert Manning ’07

Robert Manning ’07 passed away peacefully on April 29 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by the love of his family and many friends. Rob was born and raised in Chester, Connecticut. Rob will be remembered for his quick wit, gentle humor, deep intelligence, welcoming spirit, and way of embracing people as they were. At Dartmouth he majored in linguistics, a field that suited his love of language and communication, and was a member of Alpha Theta, where he brought quiet geniality in his role as house manager and in social settings, whether playing board games or sharing deep discussions on philosophy or an interesting TV show. His Dartmouth friends and community remember him as unfailingly kind and going out of his way to make conversation easy for friends and strangers in settings large or intimate. Faith was central to Rob’s life. He sang joyfully in choirs and found strength and meaning in spiritual connection. This faith was also unfailingly kind, and he shared with people who were queer and of other faiths and cultures with deep respect. A memorial service was held on May 17 at the St James AME Zion Church in Ithaca, New York. Rob is survived by his partner, Vanessa, father Carl, brother Reuben and sister-in-law Sera, brother Steven and sister-in-law Anne, sister Eileen and brother-in-law Daniel, and many nieces and nephews. The ’07 Compassion Committee has sent a donation in Rob’s honor. Details about donations may be found at www.bangsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/robert-manning.