Robert R. Johnson, MD (1924 – 2013)
CLAVERACK—Robert R. Johnson, MD, 89, of Claverack, passed away Monday, May 27, 2013.
Born to Edwin C. and Lillian M. (Soellner) Johnson in 1924 in Newcomb, he was the eldest of three children.
The son of the town doctor, he graduated from Newcomb Central School one of five in his class, and entered a combined undergraduate/medical school program at Cornell University designed to recruit and accelerate the training of doctors during World War II. He met his wife Nancy Johnson (Bousfield) when he was hospitalized with the mumps during medical school training in New York City. After receiving his MD in surgery in 1949, he was sent to England where he practiced medicine for the Air Force until the early 1950s. On his return to the states he received his board certification in thoracic surgery.
Together Dr. and Mrs. Johnson raised four children living in England, New York City and Fort Wayne, Indiana before finally settling in Columbia County where he took a position with the Rip Van Winkle Clinic in 1958.
They built a home in Claverack and after the clinic closed in 1964 he continued to practice surgery in Hudson at Columbia Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack, where he served on the consistory. He was interested in astronomy, and served as a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts for a time. In his youth he collected stamps and he rekindled that interest after his retirement, but his passion and love for the Adirondacks exceeded all other interests. With his wife Nancy, Dr. Johnson climbed many of the Adirondack high peaks. They maintained a seasonal residence in Newcomb, and introduced their children to the beauty of nature and the splendor of the high peaks region where Dr. Johnson was born and raised.
He was predeceased in 2009 by his wife Nancy to whom he was married for 63 years. He is survived by: their children, Kathryn Schneider and her husband William of Stuyvesant, Deborah Langford and her husband William of Qinhuangdao, China, Jeffrey Johnson and his wife Alissa Ferlito of North Greenbush, Thomas Johnson and his wife Mary-Beth of Albany; his sisters, Lois Hamerman of Philadelphia and Patricia Carlow of Toronto, Ontario; as well as seven grandchildren, Timothy and Rachel Schneider, Daniel and Stephen Langford, and Peter, Michael and Christa Johnson and two great grandchildren.
At his request, services will be private. Friends and relatives are invited to leave condolences for the family at www.batesanderson.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adirondack Mountain Club, Development Department, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George 12845.
Margaret Elizabeth Frank (1933 – 2013)
ALBANY—Margaret Elizabeth Frank, 79, of Voorheesville died Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Albany Medical Center.
Born July 17, 1933 in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Leroy and Gertrude (Brogan) Frank.
Ms. Frank was a homemaker and an avid reader. She enjoyed watching movies and was a devoted animal lover, especially to her pets, Little Bear and Misty.
She is survived by: her sister Barbara Eigenbrodt of Valatie; a step-daughter, Melissa Frank Williams of Colorado and a step-grandson, Jaden Williams.
Graveside services will be private in Kinderhook Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands 12204. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Valatie.
Clayton Herbert Eldridge (1926- 2013)
CHATHAM CENTER—Clayton Herbert Eldridge, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Chatham Center, Thursday May 30.
He was born July 20, 1926 in Chatham Center, where he was a lifelong resident.
Mr. Eldridge was predeceased by: his parents, Fordyce and Effie Agan Eldridge; his brother, Kenneth Eldridge and Kenneth’s wife, Elaine Kiel Eldridge.
He is survived by his very good friends of many years Kelly and John Colomey of Chatham Center and their daughters, Samantha Coons of Hudson Falls, Rebecca Coons of East Amherst, Mandy Green of Ghent and his beloved cat, Big Foot.
Mr. Eldridge was employed by Golden Acres Farm and Sales in Chatham Center for more than 50 years.
He enjoyed many hobbies including square dancing, wood working and especially knitting. He knitted hundreds of pairs of slippers and many blankets over the years donating them to nursing homes, friends and their families.
A graveside service will be held Monday, June 3 at the Chatham Center Rural Cemetery at 10 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Chatham Center Rural Cemetery and/or the Tri-Village Fire Company.
Condolences may be conveyed at www.frenchblasl.com.
