SHERBURNE – Robert J. Marks, 78, died on Oct. 28, 2009 in Benson, Arizona, after a three-year battle against cancer.
He was born in Schenectady on July 20, 1931. He was graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1949 and College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University in 1954. He moved to Sherburne in 1968 from Alaplus to take a position as Forester with the Environmental Conservation Management Dept. of N.Y. He retired from the Department as Senior Forester in 1993.
He was the son of Grace Sheldon and Edward Marks. He was raised by his Aunt Grace Sheldon after his mother died when he was 15 years old. His father died in 1976.
He was active in Sherburne Masonic Lodge #444 F&AM. He had been Master five times. He was also Past Worthy Patron of Trinity Star, Order of Eastern Star in Sherburne. He was District Grand Lecturer of the OES Broom-Chenango District in 1993 and Past Royal Patron of Saratoga Court #55 Order of Ammeranth in Saratoga Springs.
Bob’s first wife, Carole, died in 1992, brother Edward died in October, 2005. Bob is survived by his wife Marian Ruhle Marks, formerly of Saratoga Springs. They lived in Sherburne until selling their home in 2007. They wintered in Arizona for the past 12 years and have been living full time in Arizona since January, 2009.
He is also survived by his children, Kathie Marks, Norwich, Stephen (Anne Marie) Marks Norwich, Robert (Kirsten) Marks, Galway, David (Ruth) Marks, Plymouth; stepchildren Timothy (Mary) Ruhle, East Greenbush, Thomas (Aimee) Ruhle, Schuylerville and Terri (Brian) Piotrowicz, Lake in the Hills, Ill. He has 21 grandchildren: Dr. Jeremiah Benoit, Nicholas Benoit, Lindsay (Patrick) Shaver, Katelyn Marks, Cole Marks, Patrick Marks, Mackenzie Marks, Kara (Greg) Geske, Brent Ruhle, James LiBruck, Robert Halloran, Lucas Halloran, Lou Ruhle, Todd Ruhle, Brian Ruhle, Kathryn Rhule, Shawn Ruhle, Richard (Dayle) Straight, Ashley Straight; three great grandchildren, Abigail and Lucas Shaver, Callie Harrison; also, sister Joyce (Harry) Chrysler, Schenectady; sister-in-law Jean Marks, Rome; aunt Marge Almy, Unadilla; brothers-in-law Richard (Lori) Livingston, Rifle, Colo. and& Frederick (Dorothy) Livingston, Glens Falls; good friends and cousins Toni and Dennis Hubley; longtime family friend Judi Graham; many more cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at Smyrna United Methodist Church on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to God’s Bread at Smyrna UMC, c/o Connie Wright, P.O. Box 201, Smyrna NY 13764.