Obituary of Robert Elpel

DURHAM – Robert “Bob” Elpel, Jr., age 82, passed away suddenly Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at his residence. Born in New York City on May 21, 1931, he was son of the late Robert Sr. and Martha Tielsch Elpel. Bob’s family moved to Durham when he was one year old and he has lived in Durham since. Bob has been a dairy farmer his whole life, taking over the family farm in 1957 when his father passed away. He was a member of the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company for over 50 years, and had been a member of the Farm Bureau. Bob served several terms as councilman for the Town of Durham. He loved square dancing and bowling, and was good at repairing farm machinery. Bob loved the Catskill Mountains, and looked forward every year to the return of his barn swallows. Bob is survived by his daughter, Kathryn (William) Colby of Loveland, CO; three sisters, Martha Hillicoss, Gertrude “Trudy” Smith and Elizabeth “Liz” Weber; two grandchildren, Mary and Jonathan (Aleigha) Colby; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla Elpel; two brothers, Paul and Richard Elpel; two sisters, Louisa Slingerland and Marguerite Palmer. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, with a service by the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company at 6:30 p.m., followed by a funeral service conducted by Rev. Phyllis Skidmore. Following cremation, a private burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 51, Oak Hill, NY 12460 will be appreciated. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.