Krmenec-Kunzman St. Joseph's Church, Endicott, was the scene of the wedding of Miss Josephine Anna Krmenec to Robert Dorrance Kunzman July 6 at 10 a. m. The Rev. Fabian Onderovsky performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Krmenec, Endicott R.D. 2. The bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kunzman of Endicott R. D. 2. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white taffeta gown,'a fingertip length veil of illusion and carried a colonial bouquet of white roses. Mrs. Vincent Cecere, matron of honor, was attired in a blue chiffon gown and carried a colonial bouquet of red roses. Vincent Cecere was the best man. A wedding reception was held in the Hotel Frederick, Endicott. Mr. Kunzman, a graduate of Binghamton North High School, served with the U. S. Army Air Forces for 3 years.
Robert D. Kunzman, 77 of Endicott died at Ideal Senior Living Center, Thursday, April 26, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Kunzman, Endicott; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen Henry, Barbara and Peter Stanko, all of Endicott, and Joanne and Patrick Malyszek, Newark Valley; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Bonita Kunzman, Mark and Mary Kunzman, Robert F. and Diane Kunzman, all of Endicott; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Endicott. He was a retired engineer with New York Telephone, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Army Air Corp, and a retired Major with the US Air Force Reserves. Robert was also on the Town of Union Planning Board for 17 years. Past President of the Campground Owners of New York and founder of the Pine Valley Campground (Kunzman's Pond) in Endicott. Funeral services will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Nanticoke Valley Cemetery, Endicott. Their family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
The Life of Robert Dorrance Kunzman
Robert Dorrance Kunzman, the only child of John D. Kunzman and Ruth Yahner Kunzman was born on August 25, 1923 in Binghamton, New York. He attended Binghamton's North High School after which he and his parents moved to Boswell Hill where he met his next door neighbor and future bride Josephine Krmenec.
Theres still a Beech tree near the Krmenec property that bears their carved names.
Robert worked for the New York Telephone Company and soon there after enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He became a B17 pilot, but luckily the war ended so he didn't have to go overseas. After discharge he married Josephine in 1946. They first rented a house in Union Center and then moved into a barn near his parents house while he and his father built a two room "garage" next door to his parents' house in anticipation of the birth of their first child, John Michael in 1947. In 1948 they bought an old farmhouse on the other side of his parents' house. Robert's father died that same year prior to the birth of their second child, Kathleen Ann. His mother Ruth gifted an additional piece of property to Robert and Josephine which adjoined the farmhouse property that he had just purchased.
In 1952, around the time of the birth of his second son, Mark Thomas, he built a six acre pond as a hobby. Shortly thereafter he started reforesting the fields of the farmstead, planting around eight thousand evergreens every year.
In 1955, Robert opened Kunzman's Pond for picnicking & fishing. An honor box system was set up on his mothers' front porch and later moved to the corner near the old camp entrance after he had worked a deal with the Town of Union, exchanging shale from his property for a road through the property.
Barbara Jean was born in 1956 and two years later, in 1958, Robert Frederick was born. Robert and Josephine built their new house in 1962 just before the last of their six children, Joanne Susan, was born. That was the time of the Cuba Missle Crisis so Robert incorporated a bomb shelter into his basement. He continued to serve his county and was honorably discharged after 20 years as a Major in the Air Force Reserves.
In the 60's Robert and Josephine got involved with Bruce Wilkins & Bernice Scott at the Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding the development of private campgrounds and the beginning of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). In 1964, Robert changed Kunzman's Pond over to Pine Valley Campground and operated the campground part-time with his wife until his oldest son took over in 1970. Robert continued to improve the camp, adding buildings, electric, water and sewage systems. Meanwhile Robert served for 17 years on the Town of Union Planning Board.
Roberts' father died at the age of 52 and he thought that every year that he was granted after 52 was a blessing. He took an early retirement at the age 52 after 35 years service as a Lineman and, after working himself up the latter, as a Outside Plant Engineer with the New York Telephone Company. He kept busy after retirement eworking on the property. He seemed to always have a pick and shovel in his hands. He also loved using his chain saw and in the early 80's came up with his burner idea when an old lime spreader box was aquired from Greenwood Park. That way he could move his fire with him as he worked along. Only problem was, is that the unit had holes on the end which allowed glowing embers to trickle out he went down the road. He did a few things to solve the problem, a water sprayer, collection pans and blocking the holes. Robert got himself in trouble with his desire to work in the woods and burn and even got himself on TV as his Alzheimers progressed and the fire got away from him twice.
Robert was great at working with aerial photographs, surveyors tools, and his sighting level, too. Robert loved to work up development plans for his property. This included road systems, ponds, and airstrips. He also loved to offer advice and design ideas to his children that were building a home or other structure.
Robert always wanted to be remembered after his death and he wanted to leave a lasting mark on the land, that was his road systems. A combined total of 700 acres, he liked being thought of as the "Land Baron of Boswell Hill". His motto was that he didn't want all the property in the world, only that property that adjoined his.
Robert was a bit of a gambler. He enjoyed working up ways to beat the system and I guess for the most part they worked. He must have been a high roller because Robert and Josephine were given preferential treatment- large suites, special event tickets, meals and transportation. He also liked to play the stock, although he did get burnt big time once with a stock named MCorp. The company was mishandled so bad that it made one of the investigative TV news reports.
Robert was very religious and not only gave to the church, but also to other worthwhile charities. When Robert raised his six children, Sundays were kept holy--it was the only day that they didn't work--and Robert was a hard worker! The family always enjoyed going out for breakfast with Robert and Josephine after church every Sunday.
Robert was always proud of his children and wanted to keep his family close. Throughout his life, he extended himself in many different ways to help his family and make it possible for us to settle down with their own families close to him. He also had the foresight to settle up most of his property holdings prior to the ravages of the Alzheimer disease that he knew was inevitable after the initial diagnosis so many years ago.
Robert always tried to take care of himself physically. He exercised regularly and watched his diet. He didn't smoke and didn't like to be around those who did. but in spite of all of this, the dreaded Alzheimer's disease eventually took its toll. Thanks to Josephine, his wife for 54 years, Robert was able to live additional quality years at home, rather than in a nursing home. In spite of her own serious health problems, she kept him going, getting him dressed and out to breakfast every morning until this last Palm Sunday when yet another phase of Alzheimer's struck again. It's sad to lose a husband, a father, grandfather and a great-grandfather, who was always such a huge part of our lives, but we all know he's up in heaven getting everything ready for us so that we can be together, as a family, once again.
Robert D. Kunzman, 77 of Endicott died at Ideal Senior Living Center, Thursday, April 26, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Kunzman, Endicott; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen Henry, Barbara and Peter Stanko, all of Endicott, and Joanne and Patrick Malyszek, Newark Valley; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Bonita Kunzman, Mark and Mary Kunzman, Robert F. and Diane Kunzman, all of Endicott; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Endicott. He was a retired engineer with New York Telephone, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Army Air Corp, and a retired Major with the US Air Force Reserves. Robert was also on the Town of Union Planning Board for 17 years. Past President of the Campground Owners of New York and founder of the Pine Valley Campground (Kunzman's Pond) in Endicott. Funeral services will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Nanticoke Valley Cemetery, Endicott. Their family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
The Life of Robert Dorrance Kunzman
Robert Dorrance Kunzman, the only child of John D. Kunzman and Ruth Yahner Kunzman was born on August 25, 1923 in Binghamton, New York. He attended Binghamton's North High School after which he and his parents moved to Boswell Hill where he met his next door neighbor and future bride Josephine Krmenec.
Theres still a Beech tree near the Krmenec property that bears their carved names.
Robert worked for the New York Telephone Company and soon there after enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He became a B17 pilot, but luckily the war ended so he didn't have to go overseas. After discharge he married Josephine in 1946. They first rented a house in Union Center and then moved into a barn near his parents house while he and his father built a two room "garage" next door to his parents' house in anticipation of the birth of their first child, John Michael in 1947. In 1948 they bought an old farmhouse on the other side of his parents' house. Robert's father died that same year prior to the birth of their second child, Kathleen Ann. His mother Ruth gifted an additional piece of property to Robert and Josephine which adjoined the farmhouse property that he had just purchased.
In 1952, around the time of the birth of his second son, Mark Thomas, he built a six acre pond as a hobby. Shortly thereafter he started reforesting the fields of the farmstead, planting around eight thousand evergreens every year.
In 1955, Robert opened Kunzman's Pond for picnicking & fishing. An honor box system was set up on his mothers' front porch and later moved to the corner near the old camp entrance after he had worked a deal with the Town of Union, exchanging shale from his property for a road through the property.
Barbara Jean was born in 1956 and two years later, in 1958, Robert Frederick was born. Robert and Josephine built their new house in 1962 just before the last of their six children, Joanne Susan, was born. That was the time of the Cuba Missle Crisis so Robert incorporated a bomb shelter into his basement. He continued to serve his county and was honorably discharged after 20 years as a Major in the Air Force Reserves.
In the 60's Robert and Josephine got involved with Bruce Wilkins & Bernice Scott at the Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding the development of private campgrounds and the beginning of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). In 1964, Robert changed Kunzman's Pond over to Pine Valley Campground and operated the campground part-time with his wife until his oldest son took over in 1970. Robert continued to improve the camp, adding buildings, electric, water and sewage systems. Meanwhile Robert served for 17 years on the Town of Union Planning Board.
Roberts' father died at the age of 52 and he thought that every year that he was granted after 52 was a blessing. He took an early retirement at the age 52 after 35 years service as a Lineman and, after working himself up the latter, as a Outside Plant Engineer with the New York Telephone Company. He kept busy after retirement eworking on the property. He seemed to always have a pick and shovel in his hands. He also loved using his chain saw and in the early 80's came up with his burner idea when an old lime spreader box was aquired from Greenwood Park. That way he could move his fire with him as he worked along. Only problem was, is that the unit had holes on the end which allowed glowing embers to trickle out he went down the road. He did a few things to solve the problem, a water sprayer, collection pans and blocking the holes. Robert got himself in trouble with his desire to work in the woods and burn and even got himself on TV as his Alzheimers progressed and the fire got away from him twice.
Robert was great at working with aerial photographs, surveyors tools, and his sighting level, too. Robert loved to work up development plans for his property. This included road systems, ponds, and airstrips. He also loved to offer advice and design ideas to his children that were building a home or other structure.
Robert always wanted to be remembered after his death and he wanted to leave a lasting mark on the land, that was his road systems. A combined total of 700 acres, he liked being thought of as the "Land Baron of Boswell Hill". His motto was that he didn't want all the property in the world, only that property that adjoined his.
Robert was a bit of a gambler. He enjoyed working up ways to beat the system and I guess for the most part they worked. He must have been a high roller because Robert and Josephine were given preferential treatment- large suites, special event tickets, meals and transportation. He also liked to play the stock, although he did get burnt big time once with a stock named MCorp. The company was mishandled so bad that it made one of the investigative TV news reports.
Robert was very religious and not only gave to the church, but also to other worthwhile charities. When Robert raised his six children, Sundays were kept holy--it was the only day that they didn't work--and Robert was a hard worker! The family always enjoyed going out for breakfast with Robert and Josephine after church every Sunday.
Robert was always proud of his children and wanted to keep his family close. Throughout his life, he extended himself in many different ways to help his family and make it possible for us to settle down with their own families close to him. He also had the foresight to settle up most of his property holdings prior to the ravages of the Alzheimer disease that he knew was inevitable after the initial diagnosis so many years ago.
Robert always tried to take care of himself physically. He exercised regularly and watched his diet. He didn't smoke and didn't like to be around those who did. but in spite of all of this, the dreaded Alzheimer's disease eventually took its toll. Thanks to Josephine, his wife for 54 years, Robert was able to live additional quality years at home, rather than in a nursing home. In spite of her own serious health problems, she kept him going, getting him dressed and out to breakfast every morning until this last Palm Sunday when yet another phase of Alzheimer's struck again. It's sad to lose a husband, a father, grandfather and a great-grandfather, who was always such a huge part of our lives, but we all know he's up in heaven getting everything ready for us so that we can be together, as a family, once again.
Krmenec-Kunzman St. Joseph's Church, Endicott, was the scene of the wedding of Miss Josephine Anna Krmenec to Robert Dorrance Kunzman July 6 at 10 a. m. The Rev. Fabian Onderovsky performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Krmenec, Endicott R.D. 2. The bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kunzman of Endicott R. D. 2. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white taffeta gown,'a fingertip length veil of illusion and carried a colonial bouquet of white roses. Mrs. Vincent Cecere, matron of honor, was attired in a blue chiffon gown and carried a colonial bouquet of red roses. Vincent Cecere was the best man. A wedding reception was held in the Hotel Frederick, Endicott. Mr. Kunzman, a graduate of Binghamton North High School, served with the U. S. Army Air Forces for 3 years.
Robert D. Kunzman, 77 of Endicott died at Ideal Senior Living Center, Thursday, April 26, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Kunzman, Endicott; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen Henry, Barbara and Peter Stanko, all of Endicott, and Joanne and Patrick Malyszek, Newark Valley; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Bonita Kunzman, Mark and Mary Kunzman, Robert F. and Diane Kunzman, all of Endicott; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Endicott. He was a retired engineer with New York Telephone, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Army Air Corp, and a retired Major with the US Air Force Reserves. Robert was also on the Town of Union Planning Board for 17 years. Past President of the Campground Owners of New York and founder of the Pine Valley Campground (Kunzman's Pond) in Endicott. Funeral services will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Nanticoke Valley Cemetery, Endicott. Their family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
The Life of Robert Dorrance Kunzman
Robert Dorrance Kunzman, the only child of John D. Kunzman and Ruth Yahner Kunzman was born on August 25, 1923 in Binghamton, New York. He attended Binghamton's North High School after which he and his parents moved to Boswell Hill where he met his next door neighbor and future bride Josephine Krmenec.
Theres still a Beech tree near the Krmenec property that bears their carved names.
Robert worked for the New York Telephone Company and soon there after enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He became a B17 pilot, but luckily the war ended so he didn't have to go overseas. After discharge he married Josephine in 1946. They first rented a house in Union Center and then moved into a barn near his parents house while he and his father built a two room "garage" next door to his parents' house in anticipation of the birth of their first child, John Michael in 1947. In 1948 they bought an old farmhouse on the other side of his parents' house. Robert's father died that same year prior to the birth of their second child, Kathleen Ann. His mother Ruth gifted an additional piece of property to Robert and Josephine which adjoined the farmhouse property that he had just purchased.
In 1952, around the time of the birth of his second son, Mark Thomas, he built a six acre pond as a hobby. Shortly thereafter he started reforesting the fields of the farmstead, planting around eight thousand evergreens every year.
In 1955, Robert opened Kunzman's Pond for picnicking & fishing. An honor box system was set up on his mothers' front porch and later moved to the corner near the old camp entrance after he had worked a deal with the Town of Union, exchanging shale from his property for a road through the property.
Barbara Jean was born in 1956 and two years later, in 1958, Robert Frederick was born. Robert and Josephine built their new house in 1962 just before the last of their six children, Joanne Susan, was born. That was the time of the Cuba Missle Crisis so Robert incorporated a bomb shelter into his basement. He continued to serve his county and was honorably discharged after 20 years as a Major in the Air Force Reserves.
In the 60's Robert and Josephine got involved with Bruce Wilkins & Bernice Scott at the Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding the development of private campgrounds and the beginning of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). In 1964, Robert changed Kunzman's Pond over to Pine Valley Campground and operated the campground part-time with his wife until his oldest son took over in 1970. Robert continued to improve the camp, adding buildings, electric, water and sewage systems. Meanwhile Robert served for 17 years on the Town of Union Planning Board.
Roberts' father died at the age of 52 and he thought that every year that he was granted after 52 was a blessing. He took an early retirement at the age 52 after 35 years service as a Lineman and, after working himself up the latter, as a Outside Plant Engineer with the New York Telephone Company. He kept busy after retirement eworking on the property. He seemed to always have a pick and shovel in his hands. He also loved using his chain saw and in the early 80's came up with his burner idea when an old lime spreader box was aquired from Greenwood Park. That way he could move his fire with him as he worked along. Only problem was, is that the unit had holes on the end which allowed glowing embers to trickle out he went down the road. He did a few things to solve the problem, a water sprayer, collection pans and blocking the holes. Robert got himself in trouble with his desire to work in the woods and burn and even got himself on TV as his Alzheimers progressed and the fire got away from him twice.
Robert was great at working with aerial photographs, surveyors tools, and his sighting level, too. Robert loved to work up development plans for his property. This included road systems, ponds, and airstrips. He also loved to offer advice and design ideas to his children that were building a home or other structure.
Robert always wanted to be remembered after his death and he wanted to leave a lasting mark on the land, that was his road systems. A combined total of 700 acres, he liked being thought of as the "Land Baron of Boswell Hill". His motto was that he didn't want all the property in the world, only that property that adjoined his.
Robert was a bit of a gambler. He enjoyed working up ways to beat the system and I guess for the most part they worked. He must have been a high roller because Robert and Josephine were given preferential treatment- large suites, special event tickets, meals and transportation. He also liked to play the stock, although he did get burnt big time once with a stock named MCorp. The company was mishandled so bad that it made one of the investigative TV news reports.
Robert was very religious and not only gave to the church, but also to other worthwhile charities. When Robert raised his six children, Sundays were kept holy--it was the only day that they didn't work--and Robert was a hard worker! The family always enjoyed going out for breakfast with Robert and Josephine after church every Sunday.
Robert was always proud of his children and wanted to keep his family close. Throughout his life, he extended himself in many different ways to help his family and make it possible for us to settle down with their own families close to him. He also had the foresight to settle up most of his property holdings prior to the ravages of the Alzheimer disease that he knew was inevitable after the initial diagnosis so many years ago.
Robert always tried to take care of himself physically. He exercised regularly and watched his diet. He didn't smoke and didn't like to be around those who did. but in spite of all of this, the dreaded Alzheimer's disease eventually took its toll. Thanks to Josephine, his wife for 54 years, Robert was able to live additional quality years at home, rather than in a nursing home. In spite of her own serious health problems, she kept him going, getting him dressed and out to breakfast every morning until this last Palm Sunday when yet another phase of Alzheimer's struck again. It's sad to lose a husband, a father, grandfather and a great-grandfather, who was always such a huge part of our lives, but we all know he's up in heaven getting everything ready for us so that we can be together, as a family, once again.
Robert D. Kunzman, 77 of Endicott died at Ideal Senior Living Center, Thursday, April 26, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Kunzman, Endicott; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen Henry, Barbara and Peter Stanko, all of Endicott, and Joanne and Patrick Malyszek, Newark Valley; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Bonita Kunzman, Mark and Mary Kunzman, Robert F. and Diane Kunzman, all of Endicott; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Endicott. He was a retired engineer with New York Telephone, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Army Air Corp, and a retired Major with the US Air Force Reserves. Robert was also on the Town of Union Planning Board for 17 years. Past President of the Campground Owners of New York and founder of the Pine Valley Campground (Kunzman's Pond) in Endicott. Funeral services will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Nanticoke Valley Cemetery, Endicott. Their family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
The Life of Robert Dorrance Kunzman
Robert Dorrance Kunzman, the only child of John D. Kunzman and Ruth Yahner Kunzman was born on August 25, 1923 in Binghamton, New York. He attended Binghamton's North High School after which he and his parents moved to Boswell Hill where he met his next door neighbor and future bride Josephine Krmenec.
Theres still a Beech tree near the Krmenec property that bears their carved names.
Robert worked for the New York Telephone Company and soon there after enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He became a B17 pilot, but luckily the war ended so he didn't have to go overseas. After discharge he married Josephine in 1946. They first rented a house in Union Center and then moved into a barn near his parents house while he and his father built a two room "garage" next door to his parents' house in anticipation of the birth of their first child, John Michael in 1947. In 1948 they bought an old farmhouse on the other side of his parents' house. Robert's father died that same year prior to the birth of their second child, Kathleen Ann. His mother Ruth gifted an additional piece of property to Robert and Josephine which adjoined the farmhouse property that he had just purchased.
In 1952, around the time of the birth of his second son, Mark Thomas, he built a six acre pond as a hobby. Shortly thereafter he started reforesting the fields of the farmstead, planting around eight thousand evergreens every year.
In 1955, Robert opened Kunzman's Pond for picnicking & fishing. An honor box system was set up on his mothers' front porch and later moved to the corner near the old camp entrance after he had worked a deal with the Town of Union, exchanging shale from his property for a road through the property.
Barbara Jean was born in 1956 and two years later, in 1958, Robert Frederick was born. Robert and Josephine built their new house in 1962 just before the last of their six children, Joanne Susan, was born. That was the time of the Cuba Missle Crisis so Robert incorporated a bomb shelter into his basement. He continued to serve his county and was honorably discharged after 20 years as a Major in the Air Force Reserves.
In the 60's Robert and Josephine got involved with Bruce Wilkins & Bernice Scott at the Cornell Cooperative Extension regarding the development of private campgrounds and the beginning of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). In 1964, Robert changed Kunzman's Pond over to Pine Valley Campground and operated the campground part-time with his wife until his oldest son took over in 1970. Robert continued to improve the camp, adding buildings, electric, water and sewage systems. Meanwhile Robert served for 17 years on the Town of Union Planning Board.
Roberts' father died at the age of 52 and he thought that every year that he was granted after 52 was a blessing. He took an early retirement at the age 52 after 35 years service as a Lineman and, after working himself up the latter, as a Outside Plant Engineer with the New York Telephone Company. He kept busy after retirement eworking on the property. He seemed to always have a pick and shovel in his hands. He also loved using his chain saw and in the early 80's came up with his burner idea when an old lime spreader box was aquired from Greenwood Park. That way he could move his fire with him as he worked along. Only problem was, is that the unit had holes on the end which allowed glowing embers to trickle out he went down the road. He did a few things to solve the problem, a water sprayer, collection pans and blocking the holes. Robert got himself in trouble with his desire to work in the woods and burn and even got himself on TV as his Alzheimers progressed and the fire got away from him twice.
Robert was great at working with aerial photographs, surveyors tools, and his sighting level, too. Robert loved to work up development plans for his property. This included road systems, ponds, and airstrips. He also loved to offer advice and design ideas to his children that were building a home or other structure.
Robert always wanted to be remembered after his death and he wanted to leave a lasting mark on the land, that was his road systems. A combined total of 700 acres, he liked being thought of as the "Land Baron of Boswell Hill". His motto was that he didn't want all the property in the world, only that property that adjoined his.
Robert was a bit of a gambler. He enjoyed working up ways to beat the system and I guess for the most part they worked. He must have been a high roller because Robert and Josephine were given preferential treatment- large suites, special event tickets, meals and transportation. He also liked to play the stock, although he did get burnt big time once with a stock named MCorp. The company was mishandled so bad that it made one of the investigative TV news reports.
Robert was very religious and not only gave to the church, but also to other worthwhile charities. When Robert raised his six children, Sundays were kept holy--it was the only day that they didn't work--and Robert was a hard worker! The family always enjoyed going out for breakfast with Robert and Josephine after church every Sunday.
Robert was always proud of his children and wanted to keep his family close. Throughout his life, he extended himself in many different ways to help his family and make it possible for us to settle down with their own families close to him. He also had the foresight to settle up most of his property holdings prior to the ravages of the Alzheimer disease that he knew was inevitable after the initial diagnosis so many years ago.
Robert always tried to take care of himself physically. He exercised regularly and watched his diet. He didn't smoke and didn't like to be around those who did. but in spite of all of this, the dreaded Alzheimer's disease eventually took its toll. Thanks to Josephine, his wife for 54 years, Robert was able to live additional quality years at home, rather than in a nursing home. In spite of her own serious health problems, she kept him going, getting him dressed and out to breakfast every morning until this last Palm Sunday when yet another phase of Alzheimer's struck again. It's sad to lose a husband, a father, grandfather and a great-grandfather, who was always such a huge part of our lives, but we all know he's up in heaven getting everything ready for us so that we can be together, as a family, once again.
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