Schenectady - Robert Daniel Jansson, 84, died peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. Bob was born on December 4, 1941, in East Meadow on Long Island, to Judith and Ivar Jansson, Swedish-speaking immigrants from Åland, Finland. The last of four children, Bob graduated from Port Jefferson High School in 1959, where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. A highlight of his sports career was probably a tryout with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees being uninterested in the services of a left-handed batting, right-handed throwing infielder, Bob moved on to college, studying briefly at the University of Kansas (where he played freshman basketball) and Ottawa University (Kansas), where he played both football and basketball. Discovering that college was not really his thing, Bob joined the Air Force in 1963. He was stationed at several bases in the U.S., and was also assigned to the 6236th Combat Support Group at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand for a year.

After receiving an honorable discharge in May 1966, he married his high school sweetheart Joan Jesaitis a month later. They settled on Long Island in Miller Place, near Port Jefferson, and in August of 1966 Bob was hired as a janitor at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island (at the princely wage of $2.85 per hour). He quickly worked his way up to the position of computer operations supervisor, a position he held until his retirement in 2003.

The two main threads of Bob's life were his deep love for and devotion to his wife, Joan, and his role as a spreader of joy to those around him. His retirement party in 2003 was an incredible show of love from the dozens of colleagues who gathered to celebrate him. He clearly inspired deep love and loyalty from those around him. When he was asked a few years ago why his colleagues loved him so much, he said that he didn't know. Joan then chimed in to say "You told me a long time ago that it was because you listened to them." This was surely true, and was indicative of his tremendous people skills. He could talk to anybody, and make them feel comfortable and seen. This would be characteristic of his experiences throughout his life, even to his final months at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady, where he quickly became a beloved resident.

After over 70 years on Long Island, Bob and Joan moved to Niskayuna in 2014 and quickly established themselves in the local community. Bob found a home with the Schenectady Ole Timers Baseball Club, where he was a faithful participant in the monthly breakfasts at the Glenville Diner. He was also an avid golfer and could often be found on the local links, especially at Stadium.

Bob's function as a spreader of joy also expressed itself through his dedicated support of Niskayuna High School sports. He was a faithful spectator and supporter, attending as many football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse games as he could. He was of course delighted to see the on-field and on-court successes of his grandchildren, but he cared just as much about the other kids he came to know in Niskayuna. He was the "biggest fan" of many other athletes in Niskayuna – kids from the neighborhood, the kids of friends, and so on. His light shone for everyone.

Bob is survived by his children David Jansson of Uppsala, Sweden, Ken Jansson (Lisa) of Stony Brook (Long Island), and Greta Jansson (Naseer Chowdhrey) of Niskayuna, as well as his grandchildren Arvid and Oscar Jansson, Cooper and Cassidy Jansson, and Laith, Saif and Sami Chowdhrey. He was predeceased by his three siblings, as well as his dear Joan, who passed in April 2025.

In fact, the loss of his wife, the love of his life, proved to be too much to bear. His move to Kingsway last fall was in many ways a blessing, as he found himself in a social environment where his people skills could be exercised. He was clearly happy there, and he said he never wanted to leave Kingsway. But the veneer of contentment couldn't hide the deep wound he suffered upon losing Joan, and it is not too much of an exaggeration to say that he died of a broken heart. When he came down with pneumonia, he realized he didn't want to go on, and he expressed his wish to just let go so that he could move on and see his wife again.

The family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude to the Kingsway staff for the wonderful care Bob received during his final months, and to Dr. Andalib Nawab for all her help and support.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, 1270 Belmont [DJ1] Ave., Schenectady NY 12308.

Condolence messages may be left at www.gleasonfuneralhomeinc.com