Albany Times Union (Sunday)

Acker, Robert G.

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COHOES — Robert G. Acker died peacefully at home on February 7, 2022, after an eleven-year heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.

Robert was born in Albany on September 25, 1941, the first of five children, to his proud parents the late George W. Acker Sr. and Clara J. (Garavelli) Acker. Bob graduated from the New York State Teachers College, now known as SUNY Albany, with a master’s degree in education. He dedicated his 30-year career to working with special needs students in the Brentwood School District in Long Island as a special education teacher. He made many wonderful lifelong friends while teaching with whom he remained close including Carol Perchik, Marty Ross, and Christine Medina.

After retirement, he moved to Amagansett, N.Y., where, ever the renaissanc­e man, he leaned into his love of gardening, art and cooking baking at the Barefoot Contessa, working as a personal chef and opening a bakery with his beloved friend Jessie. He loved to travel and did so frequently, from riding camels in Morocco to dining al fresco on homemade meals in Sardinia with his great friend Ray Vento. Tiring of Northeast winters, he retired a second time to Palm Springs, Calif. where he enjoyed the abundant sunshine and warm temperatur­es. He remained active in his community as a volunteer for the Desert ARC in their art program and for the Palm Springs film festival.

Bob touched the lives of so many with his intelligen­ce, humor, generosity, and warmth. He believed in and supported the cause of equal rights for all people. He will be dearly missed by his wonderful friends and his family. He is survived by his siblings, Janet Rosenzweig (Jack), George W. Acker Jr. (Carol), Kathy Gutto and Mary Ryan along with 14 nieces and nephews and 20 grandniece­s and nephews all of whom he took an interest in. Bob was lovingly cared for at home by his sisters, Kathy and Mary.

Services will be private with a celebratio­n of Bob’s life at a later date.

Those wishing to remember Bob in a special way may do so by donating to a local charity of your choice.

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