Robert Coleman-Senghor
Encyclopedia
Robert Coleman-Senghor was an American professor of English at Sonoma State University
who served as mayor of Cotati, California
for one year. He died suddenly of a torn aorta
.
. His family moved to California soon after. He graduated from Berkeley High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps
. After leaving the Marines, he attended University of California, Berkeley
and later earned a Masters degree from the University of San Francisco
.
He met Gabi Schmitz while teaching at Sonoma State University
. He married her in 1994. He had four sons.
Living in the Cotati area, he coached soccer and served as member of the local Parent-Teacher Association
. He taught English as a Professor of California Cultural Studies at Sonoma State University
.
His interest in politics led him to serve on the Cotati's Design Review Committee and Planning Commission. In 2008, there were three open seats on the City Council. Coleman-Senghor ran and was elected, getting 1,296 votes. He was elected vice-mayor in 2009 and mayor in 2010.
While teaching, Coleman-Senghor suddenly experienced chest pains. He died two days later, on April 9, 2011.
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
who served as mayor of Cotati, California
Cotati, California
Cotati is an incorporated city in Sonoma County, California, U.S.A., located about north of San Francisco in the 101 corridor between Rohnert Park and Petaluma....
for one year. He died suddenly of a torn aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
.
Life, education, and career
Coleman-Senghor was born in 1940, in Amite City, LouisianaAmite City, Louisiana
Amite City is a town in and the parish seat of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,110 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Amite City is located at ....
. His family moved to California soon after. He graduated from Berkeley High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. After leaving the Marines, he attended University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and later earned a Masters degree from the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
.
He met Gabi Schmitz while teaching at Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
. He married her in 1994. He had four sons.
Living in the Cotati area, he coached soccer and served as member of the local Parent-Teacher Association
Parent-Teacher Association
In the U.S. a parent-teacher association or Parent-Teacher-Student Association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a...
. He taught English as a Professor of California Cultural Studies at Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
.
His interest in politics led him to serve on the Cotati's Design Review Committee and Planning Commission. In 2008, there were three open seats on the City Council. Coleman-Senghor ran and was elected, getting 1,296 votes. He was elected vice-mayor in 2009 and mayor in 2010.
While teaching, Coleman-Senghor suddenly experienced chest pains. He died two days later, on April 9, 2011.