of Jonesboro, AR
January 4, 1943 - February 11, 2025
Alexander Sydorenko, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, AR. He was born on January 4, 1943 in Poltava, Ukraine during World War II. His family was driven out of Ukraine to Germany, where along with other refugees, began to move westward. His family emigrated to Curitiba, Brazil in 1949, then on to the United States in 1959. While living in Chicago in 1966, Alexander became a citizen. He received a master's degree and PH.D in Russian and Ukrainian history. He joined Arkansas State University in 1972 as a history professor and in 1976 he led students on a 24-day study tour of the USSR, visiting his birth village and meeting relatives. He went on to travel throughout Ukraine more than a dozen times. He retired from teaching in 2020, having served more than 48 years in his field. Alexander was fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, Portuguese, Greek and Spanish. He was of Ukrainian Orthodox faith.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lydia Wdowyczenko.
Left to remember Alexander are his sons, Alexander Sydorenko Jr. and Jeremy Sydorenko; grandson, Logan Sydorenko; cousins, Lilia and Ivan Onyshchenko of Ukraine and many colleagues, friends and loved ones.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 beginning at 2pm at Roller Farmers Union Funeral Home (1900 W. Washington Ave. Jonesboro, AR 72401).
Arrangements are under the care of Roller Farmers Union Funeral Home.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18709323531.
Sign Guestbook
21 Condolence(s)
Linda Blackwood Ford
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Dear Sasha, I feel privileged to have been able to be one of the group of students who accompanied you and Lydia on your trip back to your homeland in 1976 and see it through your eyes. You both shared memories that made the trip amazing. I will always treasure your friendship and your memories you shared with our group. Your family will be in my prayers. Linda Blackwood Ford
NCTMB Elena Stoeva MD
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
We are deeply saddened
We knew him for 20 years
We ll miss … many many things he was embodied for us ..
The vast knowledge, the stimulating conversations, most of all - his genuine presence and support - what a rarity, these days
Bon voyage, Alex!
Thank you for everything you inspired us with and for!
Elena, George and Leni Stoevi
John D Hall
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
We were very sad to hear of the loss of our colleague Alex. He was a well respected long time faculty member and leader at Arkansas State University. Alex was an advocate for all faculty and an exceptional historian. He will be missed but long remembered for his contributions to higher education and ASU.
With Sympathy,
John D. and Cathy Hall
Paula James
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
My deepest condolences to Alex’s family. Alex and I have known each other for many years. We were neighbors in faculty housing and colleagues at the university. I was always impressed by his love for history and his passion for his home country. His hosting skills were legendary, too. He was a most generous friend. He will be missed.
Lisa A. Dickerson
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
I want to say Thank you! Once again for the kindness and support that you gave me during the years that I worked with you. I was Dr. Sydorenko's (Alex's) Administrative Assistant from 2005 to 2007. I learned so much from him during those two years and his kindness and patient's will never be forgotten. As the chair of the department of History you were deeply respected and It was as honor to learn from you, work with you and your faculty. Many memories were developed and you are already greatly missed.
Sandra Provence
Monday, February 17, 2025
Alex was a good friend for 30 + years. We have had many philosophical talks about facts and fables. He loved his homeland of Ukraine and was a great supporter. Alex and his lifetime friend Orest argued constantly about political platforms but shared a friendship of brotherhood. I am thankful that our paths crossed while on this earth. He will be missed. Thanks for the beer brewing and the Ukrainian dumplings.
Charles Hartwig
Monday, February 17, 2025
I knew Alex as a fellow faculty member and fellow denizen of Wilson Hall at ASU for years, and a guest at some of his memorable parties. Our condolences to his family.
Tom Thompson
Sunday, February 16, 2025
I was blessed to have had Alex as both a friend and mentor! His lectures inspired me to obtain my undergraduate degree in history. He will be missed but not forgotten. The many memories bring both smiles and tears. God bless him.
Edward C. Dodge
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Dr. Sydorenko was one heck of a teacher, and more importantly, just a good man. He seemed to know just about everyone in the department, and I will never forget the time he took to visit with me as an undergraduate. I will continue to remember him fondly. May God grant him eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Phyllis Pobst
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Alex was a respected and much-loved colleague. The History Department is poorer for his loss.
William Maynard
Friday, February 14, 2025
It is with great sadness I am writing on the occasion of Alex's untimely passing. Thank you Alex for your kindness and friendship when I joined the Department and for your friendship in the years that have followed - as a colleague, Chair, the host of so many enjoyable Department gatherings and especially for the dinners, for the pot roasts and for the beer you brewed! The myriad of students you taught were lucky to have been in your tutelage, and you will be and are missed. To paraphrase a Ukrainian saying, may you 'rest in fur' Alex.
Derek Ott
Friday, February 14, 2025
Dr. Sydorenko was a fixture at the Arkansas State University History Department for many years. Many students learned their passion for history in his classes. He opened our eyes to what happened in the past and through that brought us to full awareness of the world we live in now.
I will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family.
Joanna Grymes
Friday, February 14, 2025
My condolences to Alex's family. I had the opportunity to work with Alex especially during his time when he led the Faculty Senate and Faculty Association. I have fond memories of that time and other opportunities to engage with him. May the memories you have provide some solace.
Hannah Williamson
Friday, February 14, 2025
Dr. Sydorenko was one of my professors when I was in college. His passion for learning was an inspiration to me and thousands of other students over the years. He was a compassionate man who always had a story to tell, and I am grateful for the honor of learning from him.
Don and Patti Ernst (Parents) Ernst
Friday, February 14, 2025
Alex was a passionate teacher and he inspired me to become a teacher. He was a good man with a great heart dedicated to freedom for his homeland and democracy. He was a dedicated Dad. We were blessed to be his friend and our sadness deep. I too regret not spending more time with him…a lesson for us all!
Godspeed dear friend!
Love you,
Don and Patti Ernst
Len Ware
Thursday, February 13, 2025
I am very sorry for your loss.
I had Mr Sydorenko as a history professor at ASU.
We used to have long talks about my Jewish family from Poland during WWII. I became very ill that semester and he was exceptionally kind to me.
He encouraged me to get my degree in history.
As you grieve, may your special memories serve to comfort you.
Jo Eads Crowson
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Yarema you are in my prayers. I know this is a difficult time for you and the rest of your family. I’m here for you if you need anything. I love you my dear. My door is always open for you.
Andrew Kosinski
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Dr. Sydorenko was a mentor to me and helped me rediscover and find pride in my family's Slavic history. We would often eat dinner together and discuss everything from philosophy to all matters of history. This man was an inspiration and a cherished family friend. He will be greatly missed. I will never forget our deep conversations. I hope he finds peace in his next journey.
Ross Marlay
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
It is a heavy blow to lose such a dear friend. Alex and I have been friends for almost fifty years. He was a generous host whose New Year's Eve dinners were unforgettable. Above all Alex was a true scholar. Thousands of Alex's former students are lucky to have learned from him.
Dennis and Evonne Darrow
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Jeremy our hearts break for you and your family. We pray for Peace and comfort at this time. Please let us know if we can help you.
Dennis, Evonne and Maw
Norman Stafford
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Betty and I were so saddened to hear of Alex's death. He was a good friend, and I wish that I had seen him more often.
Your family is in our thoughts as are the many pleasant memories we have of Alex--forty-five years of memories.