Dr. Robert “Rob” Lange III, a devoted father, beloved educator, and cherished friend, passed away unexpectedly on May 28, 2026. He was 52 years old.
Though he lived in North Carolina and Virginia for the past twenty plus years, Rob was a Buffalo guy through and through. Born and raised in Western New York, he carried a lifelong love for his hometown and was a rabid fan of Buffalo sports—especially the Bills, firmly believing every season that “this is gonna be their year.”
A talented athlete himself, Rob attended Daemen University on a basketball scholarship. His love of basketball was a true family affair, as he played with and later coached his younger brothers Marty and Kevin as members of the Daemen Wildcats, and years later as he coached his daughter SiSi’s basketball teams, most recently the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School’s Crusaders.
Rob was also a lifelong learner. After earning his undergraduate degree in Social Work from Daemen University, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Buffalo State University and, in 2023, his Doctor of Education in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from the College of William & Mary.
For 15 years, Rob was a cornerstone of Christopher Newport University (CNU), as the longtime Dean of Admission and most recently as the Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management. He believed deeply in the university’s mission to inspire “lives of significance,” and he lived out those core values of honor, leadership, and service every day. Known for his humor, grace, and collaborative spirit, he possessed a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life, leaving an indelible mark on his colleagues and the thousands of students he personally welcomed into the CNU family.
While Rob achieved great professional success, family was what mattered most to him. Rob was a deeply devoted dad who poured his heart into his children, Tyson (15) and SiSi (11), who were the center of his universe. He shared an exceptional co-parenting bond with Michelle, SiSi’s mother; they delighted in their “modern family”.
Rob had a way of wrapping his arms around those he loved—both literally and figuratively—making everyone in his circle feel protected, seen, and cared for. His warmth, ready laugh, and generous heart will be profoundly missed by his family, his campus community, and the countless friends he made along the journey.
Rob is survived by his beloved children, Tyson and SiSi; his mother, Loretta; his siblings Lynette, Marty, and Kevin, their spouses and children, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom were close to his heart. He also leaves behind Michelle, and a community of colleagues and friends from all seasons of his life who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert J. Lange, Jr., and grandparents Robert J. and Estelle Lange, and John and Ruth McAndrew.
A celebration of Rob’s life will be held at CNU’s David Student Union Ballroom on Saturday June 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM, with fellowship to follow. All are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to either the Dr. Robert J. Lange, III Memorial Endowed Scholarship or the Albert and Sydnor Moberg Endowed Scholarship for first-generation college students at Christopher Newport University, or to the Don Silveri Legacy Scholarship Fund at Daemen University.
