Obituary of Robert W. Briggs

Voorheesville - Robert W. Briggs, 82, of North Grandview Terr. died Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Community Hospice of Albany Inn at St. Peter's Hospital. Born January 6, 1930 to the late Charles and Thelma Comstock Briggs, he was raised in Sharon Springs and was a graduate of Sharon Springs High School. Robert entered the United States Army on August 12, 1947 and retired from the Air National Guard in January, 1990 with the rank of SMSGT. He was a member of the Army Reserves from 1947 to 1956. From 1956 to 1958, he served active duty in Fort Gordon, Georgia. In 1958, he was transferred to the SAC at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base, moving with the unit in 1962 to the Air Force Reserves at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY. In 1963, his unit was re-assigned to the Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh and sent to Osan Air Base in Seoul, Korea, returning stateside in 1969. He was re-assigned to the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia where he served in Personnel Management until his retirement in January, 1990. He was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, a lifetime member of the Voorheesville Area Ambulance, a lifetime member of the 109th Alumni Association, the Voorheesville American Legion Post # 1493, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and a lifetime member of the Stratton All Ranks Club. His hobbies included gardening, bowling, "grandparenting", hunting, hiking, golfing and cross country skiing. Robert was the husband of the late Ruth Olsmit Briggs; father of William J. Briggs (Marites Delacruz Briggs) of Mt. Clare, CA, Raymond C. Briggs (Julie Cross-Briggs) of Guilderland, Annette (Ann) Briggs (Joe Paone) of Clifton Park and Robert W. Briggs, Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ; grandfather of Matthew Briggs, Katie Briggs and Jonathan DeWitt Briggs. He was also survived by other loving friends, family members, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Marion and Charles, and his best friend, Richard Buttery, who died during the Korean Conflict on June 3, 1951. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Voorheesville. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Guilderland. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 3 - 8 p.m. in the funeral home. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Voorheesville Area Ambulance, PO Box 238, Voorheesville, NY 12186 would be appreciated.