Obituary of Robert Estes

Robert E. Estes, 97, a longtime resident of Poughkeepsie, died January 28, 2010 at home. Robert was the Superintendent of Manufacturing at IBM for 38 years, retiring in December 1971. He was a member of the NimRod Gun Club, Overlook Gun Club, Hancock Gun Club, Marakill Gun Club, and the Lions Club. Robert maintained the family farm and it is now a six generation farm. Robert was very active in many local organizations but probably the most outstanding and longest was the Dutchess County Fair Board of Directors for over 40 years. He was honored with the Silver Beaver award in Boy Scouting. Robert was instrumental in organizing the Mid Hudson Workshop, a place of employment for physically and medically handicapped employees to help local businesses. He was an avid sportsman who hunted elk, caribou, deer, and wild turkey, making several trips to Anta Costa Island. He also loved surf casting in the ocean near their winter home at Jensen Beach, FL. Robert lived long enough to teach these hunting skills and work ethic onto his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born on the family farm in Caledonia, NY, on April 7, 1912, he was the son of William A. and Fannie Tunison Estes. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree from R.I.T. On March 29, 1934 he married Dorothy Harrington in Scottsville, NY. Mrs. Estes survives at home. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Kenneth and his wife, Betty and Robert, Jr. and his wife, Sally, all of Caledonia, NY; daughter, Marilyn Beck and her husband, Ronald, of Poughkeepsie, NY; several nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren, Kevin W. Beck of Milton, NY; Brian Beck of Grayson, GA; Sharon Warman of Poughkeepsie, NY; Roger Estes of Caledonia, NY; Dean Estes of Caledonia, NY; Faline Tyler of Byron, NY; Robin Shuknecht of Elba, NY; Kenneth Estes, Jr. of Caledona, NY; and Melissa Adams of Stafford, NY; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Estes Brown. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 31, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Oatka Cemetery in Scottsville, NY. Memorial donations may be made to Dutchess County Hospice, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.