Obituary of Roy Henry Senn

Roy H. Senn died of pancreatic cancer on February 16, 2024, at a hospital in Albany, NY. Roy was born on September 29, 1939, in Buffalo, NY. He was a graduate of Williamsville High School. He had a B.S. degree in Geophysics with a Minor in Computer Science from the University of Utah. In Salt Lake City Roy worked for Kennecott Copper Corp. and Utah Power and Light. In 1979 he moved with his family to Rome, NY, where he was a Computer Systems Analyst with Measurement Concept Corporation. He also worked for The Fleming Group in Syracuse and ITT Research Institute in Rome, NY. In later years he did part time IT work at the New Hartford, NY, Public Library. Roy had a keen interest in all aspects of the natural world and applied his talent for photography to images small and large. One of his photos was chosen for the cover of the 1992 Audubon Wildflower calendar. His work was featured in art shows at the New Hartford library and at the library in Old Forge. While living in Salt Lake City for eighteen years, Roy and his family explored a wide range of landscapes from the red rock country of southern Utah to the high Uintas. In the Northwest, he carried around a large format camera to photograph carpets of lupines and other flowers returning to life after the Mt. St. Helens eruption. His eye captured the beauty of the Pasque Flower and Avalanche Lilies on the way to photographing Mt. Rainier. In 1990 Roy was selected for an expedition to French Guiana with a group from The New York Botanical Garden. Days were spent trekking through the rainforest collecting specimens of the Brazil nut family and information about pollination. Nights meant sleeping in hammocks at a research station in the jungle. Visiting wildlife afforded many photo ops. In 2012 Roy and Mary joined an ecotour in Costa Rica. Their small group was able to hike in many different habitats. A highlight for Roy was photographing the exotic bird life in the cloud forest. Closer to home, he has enjoyed hiking and photographing the lush plant life in Pixley Falls State Park and the Adirondacks. In 2021 Roy and his wife moved to Valatie, NY, in the Hudson Valley, to be closer to their daughter Leslie. Roy lost no time creating a home and planting trees and flowers on the property. Roy was known for his sense of humor. When a technician recently explained a complicated medical procedure to him, Roy responded, "Let me know how that works out for you." He was philosophical about his illness and grateful for opportunities to travel and explore. Roy is survived by Mary, his wife of 59 years, and daughter Leslie. He was predeceased by daughter Lindsey in 2019. Funeral services will be held privately. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie, NY.