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Robert B. Sherman, half of a fraternal duo that penned “It’s a Small World” and won a pair Academy Awards for “Mary Poppins,” died Monday in London. He was 86.

Sherman’s son, Jeff, posted a note on his Facebook page late Monday with the news.

“He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more. I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that,” Jeff Sherman wrote.

Born Dec. 19, 1925, in New York City, Sherman showed a creative streak early, writing a play, "Armistice and Dedication Day," at age 16. The play, about how Americans' lives were profoundly changed by the Pearl Harbor bombing of Dec. 7, 1941, raised thousands of dollars for war bonds, earning a citation from the War Department.

Sherman's dedication to his country went further in 1943 when he joined the U.S. Army at 17 with his parents' permission. In April 1945, he was among the first Allied forces to enter the Dachau concentration camp after it was abandoned by the German military. Later that month, he was shot in the knee, creating an injury that would leave him reliant on a cane for the remainder of his life.

Sherman was awarded several medals for his service during World War II, including a Purple Heart. He spent some time recovering form a gunshot wound in the United Kingdom, a place of endless fascination to the songwriter, and also where he died.

He and his brother Richard took the name the Sherman Brothers, spending years working directly for Walt Disney. Together, they penned music for such enduring Disney classics such as "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" -- as well as, of course, the Disney theme-park mainstay "It's a Small World (After All)."

Their work on "Mary Poppins" would earn the brothers two Academy Awards in 1965. Robert B. Sherman would go on to receive numerous other Academy Award nominations and two Grammy Awards. Sales-wise, he also amassed 23 gold and platinum albums.

In 2005, Sherman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with his brother and fellow inductees Bill Withers, Steve Cropper, John Fogerty, Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

Sherman dabbled in other creative arts, including clay and metal sculpture, and he had a decades-long interest in painting, which he studied while attending Bard College. He largely kept his painting private until 2002, when an exhibition of his work was held at Thompson's Gallery in London. Exhibitions in Florida and California followed.

Sherman married Joyce Ruth Sasner in 1953, with whom he had four children. Joyce died in 2001.

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If you're a fan of the Sherman Brothers' music, then you should definitely check out the documentary, "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story." It was on Netflix streaming a while ago but, for now anyway, it is a disc-only title.
 

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Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 03-06-2012, 06:20 PM:
 
So I guess now that he's passed away,
instead of composing, he'll be DE-composing!


RIP, Mr Sherman! You're musical talents brought smiles
to many faces over several generations. My dad is 93,
and he STILL goes around humming "It's A Small, Small World"
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 03-06-2012, 08:16 PM:
 
I was truly amazed to learn how many of the theme park tunes they wrote. One of my favorites was "Makin' Memories" -- the musical component of a brilliant multi-projector slide show montage at Epcot's Magic Eye Pavillion.

I'm referring to the pre-show for "Captain E/O," which was presented by Kodak. "Makin' Memories" was an elaborate Kodak promo --

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"takin' pictures is makin' memories / catchin' little pieces of time / makin' 'em yours / and makin' 'em mine."

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-- a great show, with one of the catchiest tunes I ever heard. I bought the Disneyland CD just for that one track. I still play it.

And, of course, Walt's all-time favorite (and mine) "Feed the Birds" from "Mary Poppins."
 

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 03-06-2012, 08:17 PM:
 
But then there is the ultimate ear worm: It's a Small World (after all).

I hope he lived a good life, because if he's in hell that will be all he hears for eternity
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 03-06-2012, 08:21 PM:
 
Sigh. Yes. As catchy as "Small World" is -- it is perhaps a tad bit too repetitive.

Of the Sherman brothers, Robert was reportedly the brooding one. He put on a happy face for publicity purposes but, underneath it all, he wasn't a happy camper.

See the documentary!
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-06-2012, 10:03 PM:
 
"Small World" isn't too bad if you only hear it once. It's riding that theme-park ride and hearing it over and over for what seems like an hour that gets you.

The Sherman Brothers did write some wonderful songs though. I would have to say my favorite is "Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book."
 

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Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 03-18-2012, 11:28 AM:
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" wasn't a Disney, correct? That was one of their early departures from Disney, but did still have an office there. That was sort of the "beginning of the end" of the relationship with Disney.

All in all some of the most memorable music I've heard.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-18-2012, 04:47 PM:
 

quote: Scott Balko

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but "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" wasn't a Disney, correct

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quote: Mike Blakesley

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The Sherman Brothers did write some wonderful songs though. I would have to say my favorite is "Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book."

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