His son, Jeffrey, gave this statement about his father on his Facebook page on Monday:
My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight in London. 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.
In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.
Robert was named a “Disney Legend” in 1990, alongside his brother. He and his brother earned nine Academy Award nomations, winning two for their work on Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Over the years, he and his brother continued to write songs for films, theme parks and plays. He was 86 years old.