Robert Bates Robert (?Bob?) Bates, of Gee Hill Road, Dryden, NY died Monday, August17 at the Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, NY Bob was born in Springfield, Mass. on June 14, 1942. After graduating with honors from Ludlow High School, he attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He graduated as an Ensign on June 3, 1964, and three days later married Elaine C. Smith, his wife of 45 years. After retiring from the Coast Guard in 1985, Bob went to work for Barnes Engineering Company in Connecticut as a Program Director, advancing to Director of Programs.
He left to become Director of Programs for Ithaco Space Flight Systems in Ithaca, NY, where he retired at the end of 2006. Bob is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elaine; three children and their families: Shawn Michael Bates and wife Leticia of Houston, Texas, and grandchildren Christopher, Nicole and Patrick; Robert Russell Bates and wife Claudia of East Newmarket, Maryland and grandchildren Ashley, Bobby, Joseph, Brooke, Brie, Ledger, Angela, Christie and Kim; and Shannon Barber of Berlin, CT and granddaughter Kayleigh. Bob also leaves behind four siblings ? Daniel Bates, and wife Tera (Miami, FL); Jimmy Bates, and wife Judy (Warnerville, NY); Kathy Dibble, and husband Richard (Milford, MA); and Patti Collins, and husband Jeff (Oklahoma). Bob also leaves behind his wife?s sister Edith Skala and nine nieces and nephews.
Above all else, Bob was a wonderful husband and father. We miss him greatly, and commend him to the Lord?s care.
Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Kubinski officiating. Burial, with Military Honors by members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Teamn, will be private in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 PM, Thursday at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob?s name to the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (AFTD). Donations in Bob?s name can be made at AFTD?s website, www.ftd-picks.org, either electronically or via donation forms that can be printed and mailed in from that site. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com
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