Robert Rowland Manning

Robert Rowland Manning passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by the love of his family and many friends. He was 40 years old.

Rob was born and raised in Chester, CT and was an Eagle Scout. He attended Xavier High School in Middletown, CT, and received his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in linguistics - a field that suited his love of language and communication.

Rob brought warmth, curiosity, and compassion to every place he called home. For more than a decade he lived in Ithaca, New York, where he built a vibrant life and community. He had a rare gift for bringing people together, whether around a board game table, a kickball field, a karaoke microphone, a dance floor, or over shared meals and deep conversation. His friendships ran deep and wide, and his kindness left an enduring impression on everyone he met.

Faith was central to Rob’s life. He sang joyfully in choirs and found strength and meaning in spiritual connection. He was a man of quiet conviction, sincere humility, and boundless generosity, and through his kindness created a welcoming, warm and safe space for all those around him.

Rob is survived by his loving partner, Vanessa Kern of Ithaca, NY, with whom he shared a bond that was a source of great strength and inspiration throughout his illness. He is also survived by his father, Carl Manning of Chester, CT; his brother Reuben Manning and sister-in-law Sera Gadbois of Scotland, CT; his brother Steven Manning and sister-in-law Anne Manning of Littleton, MA; his sister Eileen Manning and brother-in-law Daniel Jordan of Westford, MA; many cherished nieces and nephews, and countless cousins, uncles, aunts, and extended family members. He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Judith Manning.

Rob will be remembered for his quick wit, gentle humor, deep intelligence, welcoming spirit, and way of embracing people as they were. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and the many lives he touched simply by being himself.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 17, 2025 at the St James AME Zion Church in Ithaca, NY, and will be followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. at the Cass Park Large Pavillion where Rob's memory can be honored with board gaming, story telling, song singing and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St James AME Zion Church, https://stjamesithaca.com/give-to-church/.