IN MEMORIAM: Bob Chase, 73;
Lifelong Farmer, Army Veteran
COOPERSTOWN – Robert Curtis Chase, 73, a life-long farmer, died peacefully at home on Sept. 16, 2016, after an extended illness with cancer.
He was a twice-daily visitor to Jackie’s restaurant in Milford, operated by his daughter Jacqueline, where he would socialize with friends and family.
He was born Jan. 22, 1943, in the Town of Butternuts, to parents Robert Curtis and Ruby May Kilts Chase. He was known as Bob, Bozo, or Bad A** Buster.
The most important thing to him was FAMILY. He showed that to his daughters on Father’s Day 2016 by presenting each of them with a booklet he had written telling each of them how proud he was of them. Family or not you simply could never win an argument – because he was always right! And never stand between him and his coffee!
He attended Cooperstown Central School. On Sep. 28, 1961, he enlisted in the Army, receiving an honorable discharge on Aug. 31, 1967. On July 4, 1964, he married Sandra Renwick. In 1980, he received his GED.
He was a hard-working man, farming his whole life. Several people who worked for him have told his family about what he taught them, life lessons that will never be forgotten!
His farming career took him to Lester Martin Farm in Milford, RM Farms in Treadwell, Possom Farm in Sherburne, and to Cooperstown Holstein. He eventually owned and operated Sandy’s family farm on Beaver Meadow Road.
He was a member of Agricultural Division of the Otsego County Cooperative Extension Association for 51 years. He briefly worked at Wightman’s Lumber Yard in Portlandville and also, for a time, retrieved cars for Smith Ford and Otsego Automotive.
After retirement, he grew beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens for all to reap his bounty. He mowed many acres of land with his friend and neighbor, Jim Leo, creating a beautiful vision for those who drove by. He was a perfectionist.
His special outing (twice a day) was going to his daughter’s restaurant, Jackie’s in Milford, where he could socialize and see family and frlends. He was a Ford man. He loved going on drives around the countryside with his wife.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy, his four daughters, Brenda Alton, her husband John and their sons, Robert and Austin; Jacqueline Folts, her fiance Mark Decker and her daughter Jordyn; Sue Sisson, her
husband Brett, son Mitchell and daughter Brooke; and Vicki Winchester, her husband Tony and their sons AJ (wife Tesha) and Ryan, and two great-grandsons. He is also survived by a sister, Patricia Roos and her husband Charles; a brother, Reginald Chase and his wife Nancy, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Robert Curtis Chase, Sr. on Jan. 10, 2000; his mother, Ruby Kilts Chase on Oct. 20, 2014, and a brother, James Chase, on April 24, 1972.
Many thanks to Doug and Shirley Bennett for their constant support and meals.
There will be no funeral. Please join his family in a celebration of his life 4-8 p.m. Sept. 21, at the Chase residence at 331 Beaver Meadow Road. Burial will be private and at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to OAOC (BOCES) for exclusive use by its “Natural Resources Occupations” programs, c/o ONC Business Office, 2020 Jump Brook Road, Grand Gorge, NY 12431.
Arrangements are under the guidance of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.