Robert V. Edney

On January 28, 2026, Robert Victor Edney died peacefully at home after a hard-fought battle with ALS and Frontotemporal Dementia. He was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia to the late Minnie B. Clark and Leon Russell Edney on September 4, 1950.

Robert or Rob, as he was known to many, was raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He attended Boston Latin School and matriculated at Emerson College, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1976 with a degree in Communications. At Emerson, he fell in love with broadcasting and worked as a DJ/producer at WERS-FM and as a producer for WNAC-TV's Six o'clock news.

In 1978, Rob earned both an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and an M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. After graduating, Rob went on to have a long and illustrious career in media and advertising sales, working for and climbing to senior leadership roles at CBS, A+E Television Networks, Thirteen/WNET, The Documentary Channel, and later founded his own media sales consultancy. Rob was a co-founder and CFO of Uptown Investment Associates which was founded in 1978. It was one of the first Black investment clubs in the US and later added the New York party business, "UIA."

Beyond his professional life, Rob was a lifelong learner with an endless curiosity and passion for technology. He immersed himself in new tools, systems, and innovations, from telecommunications and computing to camera and audio equipment, and delighted in mastering them. He loved sharing what he learned and was often the person others turned to for guidance on the latest technology. He was also an avid reader of biographies and historical nonfiction, and served as the self-appointed family historian, proudly researching and preserving family genealogy.

Rob was an all-around athlete who enjoyed playing league tennis and even became an expert skier and snowboarder in his 40s. He was a talented speed skater and rollerblader, never one to pass up a jump or the opportunity to learn a new skill.

Music was central to his life and spirit, or in his words, "the language of the human spirit." He was moved by classic R&B, soaring arias, and Broadway musicals, a particular joy during his illness. He loved to dance, and his family will always remember his exuberant, free-spirited moves and the goofy faces that came with them. A percussionist, he played conga drums and encouraged his children to pursue their own passions in music and the arts.

Rob also loved to travel and to explore new countries, cultures, and foods with family and friends. He traveled widely throughout the Caribbean, Europe and beyond. He passed on a love of the world to his children, who have spent months and years abroad developing their own appreciation for people and cultures around the globe.

Rob was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie B. Clark; his brother, Bernard Russell Edney; his sister, Maxine Edney; and his brother-in-law, Paul Berry.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Randolph MD; his children, Kristen and Robby; his siblings, Bonnie Jamison-Berry and Gerald Clark (Fai); his mother-in-law, Florence Randolph; sister-in-law, Leslie Randolph; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his intellect, laughter, joy, and abiding appreciation for life. His spirit lives on in all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in his honor to the ALS Association and Columbia University's Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 11th at 1pm at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church 6 Greenacres Ave. Scarsdale, New York 10583.