Eagle Mills – Robert James Cipperly, 85, a resident of Eagle Mills since 1965, died peacefully, Monday, August 8, at Albany Medical Center with his family by his side.[private] Born in Hoosick Falls, December 26, 1930, Bob was the youngest of the 15 children of the late Harry E. and Alice L. (Webster) Cipper1y. He grew up on a dairy farm and attended the Hoosick District one-room school house, graduated from Hoosick Falls High School, earned a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Education at Cornell University and a Masters Degree in Education at Siena College. Bob spent two years serving honorably in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant and Artillery Unit Commander with the “Triple Nickel Division” during the Korean Conflict. In 1952 he married Caroline “Becky” Booth and together they were the parents of six children. After his Army service ended, Bob taught agriculture for one year each in the South Glens Falls and Cambridge Schools. He then joined the Menands branch of the Farm Credit Service of Eastern New York, where he worked for over 37 years, becoming both a vice president and chief appraiser, before retiring in September 1993.
Bob had many outside interests. He joined the Van Rensselaer-Star Lodge of Masons in Hoosick in 1953 and served as Master for several years and Treasurer for many years, and served as a district deputy of the Rensselaer-Schenectady District of Masons. He was a Past President and Treasurer of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Rensselaer County and a Past President of the Rensselaer County Agriculture and Horticulture Society (Schaghticoke Fair). He was a former member and vice president of the Brittonkill School Board, a member and former president and treasurer of the Brunswick Historical Society, a member of the Town of Brunswick Board of Assessment Review, a former director of the Eagle Mills Cemetery Association, a former Wynantskill Little League coach and he served on the District Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Active in many church activities, Bob was a deacon in the First Reformed Church in Wynantskill where he was also the Building Fund Treasurer and chairman of the parsonage building committee which oversaw the removal of the old parsonage and the construction of the present parsonage. He also served as a Sunday School Superintendant. After moving to Brunswick in 1965, he became active in the Eagle Mills United Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader, Trustee, Treasurer, Chairman of long range planning and supervised the construction of the present church building.
Having grown up on the farm, Bob enjoyed all types of outdoor activities – working in his vegetable garden, maple sugaring, and playing or watching all sports. In his younger days he was a catcher for the North Petersburg Baseball team, and he became an avid Yankees and Giants fan. But he especially loved attending as many of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events as possible, along with their musical and academic events. And he loved playing cards – especially with those kids and grandkids. Most of all, Bob lived a life of service – to God, to his family, to his country and to his community. He was a humble man who showed respect to everyone, and lived to offer praise and support. His family and community connections made his life complete.
Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Caroline “Becky” Cipperly of Brunswick and their six children, Dr. George Cipperly (Elizabeth Bradley) of Chester Springs, PA, John Cipperly (Diane Erickson) of Speigletown, Susan Cipperly of Eagle Mills, Lt Col (retired) Peter Cipperly (Sally Pultorak) of Yorktown, VA, Mark Cipperly (Margaret Welch) of Brunswick and Michael Cipperly (Robbin Rogers) of Delancey, NY, as well as grandchildren, Nathan (Danielle), Galen (Heather) and Ian MacCreadie (Amanda), Benjamin, Matthew (Heather), Sarah, Noah, Devon (Eric Shamis), Erin (Ryan Peterson), Megan, Kay, Bob, Paul, Jessica (Christopher Hymes), Jacob and Lucas, great-granddaughter, Harper, a sister Betty Kipp (Robert) and sisters-in-law, Mary and Marion, many nieces nephews and cousins and his special friends, the Pieter Kooi family in the Netherlands.
In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by brothers, George (Elizabeth), Dean (Marlene), William (Rita), Frank (Mary), Walter, Waldo (Barbara), Paul (Marion), sisters, Blanch, Ethel Sherin (John), Helen Cloke (George), Eleanor Lohnes (James) Doris Kipp (Earl) and Vera Griswold (Ralph). Bob is sorely missed by his beloved yellow lab Sammie. A funeral service for Bob was held on Saturday, August 13, at Hope United Methodist Church in Eagle Mills, with Rev. Dave Martin officiating. Burial followed In Eagle Mills Cemetery. At Bob’s request, memorial contributions may be made to Hope United Methodist Church – Memorial Fund, 566 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180.[/private]