Obituary of Robert Posson

Guilderland - Robert L. Posson, Sr., 92, passed away October 31, 2016 following a late-life battle with Parkinson's. Born in Schenectady on December 15, 1923, he was the son of the late Claude and Anna (Reaney) Posson. Robert (Bob) was married to the late Ruth H. (Hauser) Posson for 68 years before her death on October 14, 2014. Bob was a lifelong area resident and longtime summer resident of Rubacks Grove on Galway Lake. Bob graduated from Draper High School in 1942 and in December of that year enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was assigned to the 98th Airdrome Squadron, training in Rapid City, SD before deploying to the China-Burma-India theatre. Bob's World War II experiences included flying over the Himalayas ("the Hump") and driving a 6x6 cargo truck over the Ledo-Burma Road from India to China. Upon returning from the war, Bob resumed his job as an apprentice for the General Electric Company where he became a designer draftsman and worked 46 years before retiring in 1989. From 1959 until his retirement, Bob worked at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna. Among his passions, Bob loved sailing competitions on Galway Lake (Snipe Class), fishing, and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum (ESAM) at the Schenectady County Airport where he volunteered for many years, retrieving historical aircraft from around the country and bringing them back to ESAM for restoration and display. Bob played basketball from his childhood into his 60s, and coached youth leagues for several years. Bob was the loving father of Robert L. Posson, Jr., Lynn De-Luke, and Paul (Denise) Posson; and had four cherished grandchildren, Robert De-Luke, Michael DeLuke, Wesley (Blair) Posson, and Spencer Posson. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Hallenbeck of Brunswick, ME; and a sister-in-law, Jean Adams of Albuquerque, NM. Graveside services will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Schenectady, Saturday, November 5 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville, or the charity of one's choice.