Another Member Lost in 2020: Ren Vasiliev , #870

I came across this older comment in the website feedback system, but not all these get directed to me, so I missed it until I reviewed the comments tonight to eliminate the plentiful spam.  It was sent by Peter Jones, whom I can not find in the APA Roster, pst or present.

“I want to let the APA and its member know that member Ren Vasiliev passed away November 7, 2020. I do not know her membership number. I do know that she loved the art of printing and participating in the monthly shared printings.”  – Peter

Irina “Ren” Vasiliev

Buffalo – Irina “Ren” Vasiliev passed away November 7, 2020, at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ren, a resident of Bloomfield, NY, was born August 1, 1954, in Nyack, NY; daughter of post-war displaced citizens of Russian origin, Catherine (Okolovich) and Peter Vasiliev. Including her parents, surviving Ren is her brother Sergei Vasiliev, of Venice, Florida.

Ren’s achievements include a BA at SUNY Oswego, MA at University of Buffalo, PHD in Geography at Syracuse University. Between degrees, Ren was the staff editor at the Cornell University student newspaper. After earning her PHD, Ren taught for 25+years in the Geography Department at SUNY Geneseo. At Geneseo Ren served terms as Chair of the Geography Depart., and as Faculty Senator on the College Senate.

At Geneseo, Ren received the Award of Professor Recognition from the Academic Affairs Committee and Student Association, and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence from the State University of New York. Ren was an avid supporter of the SUNY Geneseo hockey team. One of her most joyous moments was being awarded an authentic SUNY Geneseo hockey-team jersey by the players when she retired.

Ren’s publications include From Abbotts to Zurich: New York State Placenames, available from Syracuse University Press. As a member of the American Names Society, Ren served as Editor of “Names: A Journal of Onomastics” 2002-2007.

Ren was a self-trained artist and her art has been displayed at SUNY Geneseo and galleries in Western New York. Ren was an artist in residence at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and at other sites around the USA, and a member in the Amalgamated Printer’s Association.

Ren was open about her life-long struggles with bipolar disorder to help others who might suffer from any emotional disorder, particularly college students.

Ren’s family thanks the staff of 7 West at Roswell Park Cancer Center, for their professionalism, compassion and courtesy. A service for Ren will be announced by her long-time friend Peter Jones, when a celebration of her life, arts, publications, and other achievements, can be shared for all to safely enjoy. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263.

Her obituary can also be found here:

https://obits.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=irina-vasiliev-ren&pid=197088996