Robert Swift Temple

Robert Swift Temple, 70, passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2024. He was a loving husband of almost 40 years to his wife Marisa, a devoted father to his daughter Emily, and a compassionate attorney who served his community for over 30 years. 

Born in Syracuse, NY, Bob was the first child of Carolyn and Douglas Temple. He graduated with high honors from J-D High School in 1972. He had a brilliant, eager mind: from J-D, he went on to Stanford University, where he studied Classics; he took poetry classes from Allen Ginsberg at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University; and he earned a degree in early childhood education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. 

He eventually returned to Syracuse to attend law school, graduating Magna Cum Laude. There he met his wife Marisa, who was also a law student. After two years spent clerking for the New York State Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, he and his wife decided to move back to Syracuseto raise their daughter, and Bob joined his father Douglas in his law practice in the village of East Syracuse.

Bob was a practicing Buddhist in the Shambhala tradition, and a senior student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. His scholarship of Buddhism led to the accumulation of a large, in-depth library on the subject. He was also a 6th degree black belt in Aikido, and attended the Aikido of CNY dojo for over 20 years as both student and teacher. Bob was an avid bridge player; he loved music and reading; and he especially loved to cook and to feed people. He will be remembered by his family and friends for the many wonderful dinner parties he hosted, and for all the wit, wisdom, and merriment he shared there. 

He is survived by his wife, Marisa, his daughter Emily, and his granddaughter Margot, as well as his brothers, Tom and David, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was loved and will be missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held on February 8th, at 11am, at May Memorial Unitarian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Karmê Chöling, the Shambhala Center where Bob spent many days in meditation and contemplation.

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