ITHACA, N.Y. -- At 99, Robert Halgrim had one remaining wish -- to be honored by Cornell University.

In 1927, his mentor and employer, Thomas Edison, arranged for him to attend the university's College of Agriculture where Halgrim studied horticulture. But two years into his degree, Edison requested that he return to Florida to tutor the great inventor's grandchildren. And Halgrim never returned to Cornell. 

But Halgrim's dream came true April 26, 2005, at a ceremony at the Shady Rest Care Pavilion in Fort Myers, Fla., when Cornell President Emeritus Frank Rhodes presented the former student with an honorary certificate and a letter signed by Cornell President Jeffrey S. Lehman. 

Less than a week later, on May 2, Halgrim died. 

The presentation ceremony had been part of Halgrim's "Senior Dream," sponsored by Shady Rest Care to fulfill a resident's desire to have closure on things in life they couldn't do or complete. 

"We all have a dream," said Helene Kramer, director of development at Shady Rest Care. "We have all started things we couldn't finish, while some of us haven't even had the opportunity to start things. Robert Halgrim's dream was to finish his education and get a degree from Cornell." 

While Cornell does not offer honorary degrees, guests at the ceremony said Halgrim was thrilled to receive the letter, a certificate, a Cornell hat, T-shirt and pin, a 1928 yearbook and a bottle of Ithaca water. 

"He was in a reclining wheelchair," said Neena Lurvey '65, past president and current membership chair of the Cornell Alumni Association of Southwest Florida. "When I put the pin on his lapel, he was absolutely beaming." 

"I am most grateful to you for expressing such fond memories of Cornell University," Lehman wrote. "We are truly honored to know that Cornell has left such an indelible impression on you and, by the same token, pleased to recognize you as an esteemed member of the Cornell community." 

While Halgrim found it hard to speak during the ceremony, at one point he raised his hand and said, "I'm honored," into a microphone. 

Halgrim began working for Edison in high school, following which Edison sent him to Cornell and paid for his education. Edison, who had little formal education himself, thought two years of college was enough schooling and that Halgrim's skills could be better used working for him. 

Putting his Cornell education to work, Halgrim helped Edison invent synthetic rubber. He also gained a reputation as a hybridizer and collector of crotons (ornamental shrubs). 

Halgrim served as curator of the Thomas Edison Winter Estate Home in Fort Myers from 1948 to 1971, after which, his son, Robert Halgrim Jr., took over until 1993.

As well as being the subject of a Smithsonian Magazine feature, Halgrim also wrote and published a book, "An Edison Record," describing his life with the Edisons.

To make Halgrim's senior dream possible, managers and directors of Shady Rest Care consulted with family members and worked closely with local Cornell alumni. 

Halgrim is survived by two sons, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. During the memorial service May 6, both sons commented how grateful they were for the recognition from Cornell. Halgrim was buried with his Cornell pin on his lapel.