Robert Edward Sugarman

Robert Sugarman (1927-2023) Robert Sugarman, a writer and resident of Shaftsbury since 1969, passed away on Thursday, November 1. His play Kaufman’s Barber Shop was produced by Shakespeare & Co. and two of his plays, Players and Hello, I Must be Going, were premiered by Bennington’s Oldcastle Theatre Company. Recent local productions include Players by Bennington Community Theater and a radio adaptation of Homefront by the Walloomsac River Theater Company. Bob also directed and acted with Oldcastle. His play Happiness Ahead was performed at the Interlochen Academy in Michigan after winning a national competition. Other plays of his were performed in theatres around the country. He was a member of the Dramatists Guild. Bob Sugarman, a lifelong circus fan, was President of the Vermont Tent (Chapter) of the Circus Fans Association of America. He was chair of the Circus and Circus Culture Area of the Popular Culture Association and presented papers at its meetings as well as the meetings of the Circus Historical Society. He was a member of the Circus Model Builders Association and had a large collection of circus models and memorabilia he enjoyed sharing with school groups. His books include Circus for Everyone: Circus Learning Around the World, a study of circus training programs; Performing Shakespeare: A Way to Learn, about youth Shakespeare programs; Deadman’s Float, a mystery; Antibes 1950, a novel; and Honing the Craft in Hard Times: Solo Pieces and Two-Actor Scenes. Bob taught at the State University of New York/Albany, Bennington College and Cazenovia College; he retired from teaching after seventeen years on the faculty of Southern Vermont College. A native of Syracuse, New York, Bob was the son of David Sugarman, a lawyer, and Golda (Sophian) Sugarman. Bob received his BA in English from Syracuse University after serving two years in the Navy V-12 program during World War II at Cornell. Following graduation, he studied at Syracuse with the Yugoslav sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. He started writing in 1950. He received an MA in Speech with a concentration in Theatre from Hunter College in New York and completed course work for a Ph.D. in Humanities at Syracuse. Bob is survived his children, Paul of Bloomfield, NJ and David of Bennington; grandchildren, Kate and Marnie. He was predeceased by Sally, his wife of over 60 years; his brothers Marvin of Roslyn Heights, NY and Tracy of Westport, CT. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center 400 Washington Ave Montgomery, AL 36104.